Kudos to all involved

The past few weeks have shattered our complacency in Hot Springs County. No longer can we say, “It can’t happen here” after an attempted murder just 15 miles from the center of town and the apprehension of a fugitive wanted for attempted murder at the back doors of residents along Arapahoe last Friday.

Thermopolis has always been a quiet little town where not much in the way of crime happens other than a speeder here and there or shoplifting or once in a blue moon, a home gets broken into.

We’ve been very lucky.

It was a bit disheartening to see so few parents in the auditorium on Monday for the school district’s open meeting regarding school safety measures. Our young people are the most important part of our community and we should all be concerned with their safety.

Part of the job of the newspaper is to keep residents informed about what is going on. That was our job last Friday as most of our staff joined in the search for the missing fugitive.

We followed our police officers, our firemen and search and rescue team as they scoured the area he was last seen in. We were close on their heels as they followed up on tips of open doors and open windows at residences in the area.

They should receive our hearty congratulations for the way they conducted themselves during that search. The professionalism we observed was top notch. From the bottom to the very top of the chain of command, they handled themselves politely, carefully and above all safely through the entire process.

Kudos as well to the people who spotted the fugitive in the first place. The people who were not afraid to get involved. The people who saw something and spoke up immediately.

We have people out there who are keeping us safe and doing a darn good job of it, too, but we need to start speaking up. We need to pick up the phone and call dispatch when we see something suspicious.

Give some thought to joining the fire department or search and rescue. Get involved.

Let’s keep our little town a safe place to live and raise our families.