Security is at the very root of any functioning economic system.

And it pains us to see our law enforcement agencies under so much stress.

In Oakland, four police officers have died in the line of duty, after a routine traffic stop turned into a shooting spree. In our region, the streets are becoming more and more violent.

It’s easy to blame the economy, to blame youth alienation and a host of factors for these outbursts.

We’d simply say that we appreciate our law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our property and our lives. To the families of those officers killed in Oakland, our deepest condolences.

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