Thanks needed for those with risky jobs

We would all like to believe we’re the best at whatever we are or do, right? Maybe we are; most likely, we are not. I am surprised at myself sometimes when the judgmental self surfaces and I become an expert at not only what I do but also what someone else does (or is doing).

I’ve heard the words come out of my mouth and they sound something like this: “How many workers does it take to stand around holding a shovel?” “Is the cook growing that salad?” “The driver of that SUV drives like they think they own the road!” or “I could do a much better job than this little dweeb!”

Sometimes the shoe is on the other foot and this week is rampant with shoe swapping. I’ll have my say and leave it at that. So please excuse the human moment. The men and women in our profession, along with animal control, marshals, jailers, judges, administrators and the like have unique jobs. We see and hear things that most people would never want to see or experience in their lifetime.

They are the ones that run “in” when everyone else is running “out.” Any day, at any time, life can go from catching runaway chickens to dismembered bodies (even in Boulder City.) They see and hear things that no one should have to endure, and they do it so you won’t have to.

Post-traumatic stress is one of the everyday realities and never mind that these people become friends with, and very fond of, most of the residents in their jurisdictions. Most of our officers have known multiple generations and know what car belongs at what house and when the smallest of things are out of normal and need to be checked on. They strap on 50 pounds worth of gear, dress in long sleeves, dark and uncomfortable uniforms and head out not knowing what their job is going to consist of by the end of their shift.

The ultimate goal is to get from here to there being the maximum service with the minimum chance of not going home to see their family again. There are many jobs out there that have risks involved, some have none, but all are important and needed to make a society.

With that in mind, compliment a job well done, minimize trivial complaining, and let’s make Boulder City just a little kinder and gentler in the crazy old rat race we live in.

May 11. Animal: Officers assisting Animal Control get the pleasure of impounding a very unfriendly dog at 8:37 a.m. in the 800 block of Avenue K.

Accident: Citizens report a semitruck has hit a traffic light and left the scene at 1:05 p.m. in the area of Veterans Memorial Drive and U.S. Highway 93.

Thought for the day: Several hours of traffic control and repair crews fix the disabled traffic light and citizens follow the vehicle until officers can intercept.

May 12. Animal: The postman finds that the heavy bag of mail becomes light as a feather when he has to sprint the 20 yards to the safety of his vehicle with the snapping dog close behind at 12:06 p.m. in the 1500 block of Mancha Drive.

Fire: The grill is just a little too close to the shrubs at 6:43 p.m. in the 700 block of Nevada Way.

Thought for the day: It’s funny where the motivation to exercise comes from.

May 13. DUI with accident: The caller hears a tire blow out and sees multiple brake lights at 12:47 a.m. in the area of U.S. Highway 93 and Ville Drive.

Suspicious: The caller reports a tall white man laying in the breakdown lane along the freeway at 1:59 a.m. in the area of mile marker 53 on U.S. Highway 95.

Thought for the day: Sometimes alcohol can convince you of the strangest places to take a nap.

May 14. Assist other jurisdiction: Officers assist another jurisdiction in the traffic stop with a reckless driver going almost twice the legal limit at 12:37 a.m. in the area of Gibson Road and 215 Beltway.

DUI: Officers are always on the watch for the telltale signs of intoxication at 3:33 a.m. in the area of U.S. 93 and Yucca Street.

Thought for the day: It might be all right on the autobahn but 128 in a 65 mph zone gets you all kinds of unwanted attention.

May 15. Abandoned vehicle: The vehicle isn’t going too far with no rear wheels at 9:25 a.m. in the 600 block of Wells Road.

Assist: The taxi driver states his fare has jumped from the vehicle leaving all his belongings behind at 9:45 p.m. in the area of the overpass on U.S. 93.

Thought for the day: The subject comes out of hiding when the officer arrives and finds the cab driver unwilling to transport him or his worldly goods so he is evicted along the roadway.

May 16. Suspicious odor: The caller smells something burning and needs some assistance at 5:55 p.m. in the 600 block of Avenue H.

Family disturbance: The neighborhood is invited to the scream-fest being held at the end of the street at 11:02 p.m. in the 600 block of New Mexico Street.

Thought for the day: The electric heater with a poster taped to the front ends up being the charred, but not incinerated, culprit.

Call of the week: Animal: Several calls in regard to a running-at-large tortoise going down Avenue K and last seen near Seventh Street. Officer arrives and the miscreant has dodged into a nearby alley in an attempt to avoid the law. He is quickly apprehended and transported, unceremoniously, to turtle-jail to await his adoptive parents discovering that he is missing at 12:07 p.m. May 12 in the area of Avenue K and Seventh Street.

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.