To the editor:

My family moved to Tryon about four years ago and quickly fell in love with this beautiful area and the people who live here. This quaint, nice little community was like a breath of fresh air after living in the Charlotte area. We have always felt safe and sound here and rarely even feel the need lock our doors. I’ll always remember seeing the “Peace” sign across from the Sunoco station and thinking, “what a wonderful way to make people feel welcome.” And, Tryon: “the friendliest town in the South.”

 

However, after our second year here this began to change and my attitude started to become less enchanted with this sleepy little town.

I started noticing an overwhelming police presence every time I turned around and hearing other citizens complain about the aggressive behavior of our police department. It seemed like everyone I know had been followed, pulled over for no apparent reason, stopped at a license check, and when confronted with the police it was always with an aggressive attitude trying to force someone into a confrontation. Unfortunately, this police behavior is present across our entire country and this is completely wrong and unwarranted. The police are here to “protect and serve” the citizens of the communities they work for. We pay their salaries and shouldn’t become subject to this kind of treatment unless you have broken the law.

 

This town has approximately 1,000 residents, so why do we need so many police officers patrolling and seeking out anyone who is driving at night? I am sure this “guilty until proven innocent “ attitude is against the law, but who is policing the police? They do whatever they want and the court system is there to protect them as well. We have to remember they are not above the law as it might seem.

 

It was made very clear at the town meeting held last October that town leadership is behind their aggressive behavior. One would think that after all the serious complaints against them that the police department would have calmed down but their abusive actions continue. If you were present for the town meeting, the complaints were of such a negligent nature you would think the town leaders would have taken immediate action and stopped this nonsense. Not to mention the bad reputation we have for incoming guests who may be prospective home buyers and other business interests that this town desperately needs.

 

Yet it seems people are leaving this area and the local businesses are having a hard time just keeping their doors open for business. Some businesses have threatened to leave Tryon because of this behavior.

 

What also concerns me is that the police are not adequately trained for any serious altercations that may arise and someone is going to get seriously injured or worse.

 

My children have been followed, pulled over for no reason, no probable cause, except that it was a weekend night and the police harassed and scared them. Preying on our young is one of their most effective and egregious tactics since the young are afraid of the police and most aren’t aware of their civil rights. This should be a totally unacceptable procedure for any sworn police officer but it happens all too often in this area.

 

What I propose is that the citizens that are concerned about this hold another town meeting. Have this meeting advertised in the Tryon paper, make sure the chief of police is present for this meeting, and don’t allow the officers in question to hide in the next room away from any scrutiny given to them. Everyone in Tryon should be very concerned that this continues to plague our community and steps need to be taken before it is too late.

 

David Friday
Tryon, N.C.