Appreciate what veterans do

Stop! Go outside, if you can. Take a deep breath, look around. Realize how blessed you are.

I suggest an appreciation for this reality because in a few days we celebrate one of our nation’s greatest holidays, Veterans Day.

The privileges we enjoy as Americans did not come without extreme sacrifice. From our nation’s forefathers to all of our military veterans, we say, “Thank you!”

Without the rule of law and our Founding Fathers’ foresight, we might have never come so far. Although many challenges lie ahead, we owe gratitude to those who gave their ultimate devotion to the American way of life.

On the homefront in Boulder City, we characterize the American sprit at its finest. From our sense of community to our sense of responsibility, we join together as Americans. Our community organizations, churches, individuals and emergency services set the standard for the rest of county, state, and even the nation. Think of the possibilities if we magnified Boulder City’s community essence around the country.

We carry forward a sense of tradition provided for by those we honor this Veterans Day. We must continue this positive path. Be grateful and thankful for our freedoms; we owe a few folks a huge pat on the back.

Are you ready?

“Control, 269, I’ll be 10-8 in-service. Hold on, need to do a weapons check; all good, let’s roll.”

Sunday, Oct. 27. A caller reports subjects fighting near the corner of Avenue G and Fifth Street. Officers arrive and find a subject near the church and one other subject in the parking lot at Boulder City High School. We learn there was just a loud argument, no physical altercation. Remember, when we show up to a fight, we have Tasers.

Monday, Oct. 28. A Del Prado resident calls to report the theft of golf clubs. An officer arrives and learns the golf bag, clubs and golf shoes were taken from the side of the house in the previous 24 hours. Theft is usually coupled with opportunity. I’m sure the golf clubs will turn up in a pawn shop over the hill.

Tuesday, Oct. 29. Officers head to a disturbance near the BC’s pool parking lot. Apparently, about a half-dozen people are pushing and shoving. We arrive and find out it’s not child’s play. Officers determine the melee’s instigator, who avoids the big house, but gets a note to appear in court — a citation for battery.

Thursday, Oct. 31. Officers are dispatched to a home across from BC’s Municipal Golf Course to address a Halloween disturbance. Apparently, a homeowner has been hiding in the bushes, scaring kids as they approached the front door. One parent escorting a child thought the worst. Next thing you know, the scary homeowner couldn’t scare any further. The child’s companion gave the scarer a trick — a kick in the head. No one pressed charges.

Friday, Nov. 1. Officers head to a disturbance at Vons. A local resident, who is a mental health consumer, is creating a disturbance in the store using profanities and scaring employees. Officers try calming the subject, to no avail. The subject was taken into custody for disorderly conduct.

Saturday, Nov. 2. A female domestic-violence victim comes to the police department lobby. She reports her one-year boyfriend went too far. The past night they’d had an argument, and he’d grabbed her. She didn’t want to call police that night — she was scared, so she left. Today we see the bruises. The law is pretty clear on this issue. We are mandated to arrest the primary physical aggressor. We make contact with the male half. The stories are similar with the exception of the touching. Arguments are a given; its best to walk away before we have to make that choice for you.

Before I forget, BC Emergency Aid needs contributions.

Well, have a great week. Be safe, lock your doors. And if you see something suspicious you know who to call — not ghostbusters, us!

Officer Jeffrey Grasso is a 10-year veteran of the Boulder City Police Department. He previously served as police officer in south Florida for four years.