The State Patrol was out in force this weekend as I traveled across the state to find a camping spot for the family to enjoy. They were the only thing out in force in greater number than the mosquitos.

I thought that I had mistakenly forgot it was a holiday or something, as I know that the Patrol seems to increase the size of its workforce during these times, but one of my daughters reminded me that it was the end of the month.

Then I was saddened by the apparent fact that we have turned the State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies into cash cows rather than the public servants they are supposed to be. I am not a lawyer, nor do I want to be, but isn’t that quid pro quo or something?

Do we really want people in authority and especially law enforcement to have the pressure and power of collecting monies to increase their revenue at the same time? Doesn’t that lead to abuse of that power and a misdirection of purpose?

We see it more and more as those who use drugs, join gangs, and reek havoc across our nation seem to go about their businesses undisturbed while the rest of us pay fines for not wearing lap belts, talking on our cell phones, or going 72 in a 70 miles-per-hour speed zone.

Who are the real criminals here? No wonder the public has seemingly lost respect for those we have been hired to protect us.