Once again another uninformed citizen has thrown his hat into the ring. Far be it from me not to respond.

I am writing this letter in response to the letter from Ken and Robin Hulse published in The Citizen Jan. 13, 1999. But before we get started, a little background on me might be in order. I am a former Peachtree City police officer of four years and I am currently a lieutenant with the Forest Park Police Department (six years). I still live in Peachtree City. So consider this response one from an experienced citizen.

Let's start at the top of their letter and work our way between the lines. The motto on the side of Peachtree City's Finest police cars says "To Serve and Protect," NOT "To Baby-sit and Coddle."

This city has well over 30 thousand people in it, and all the problems of any other city, just on a different scale. This is far above the seven thousand people that were here when I moved here in 1984. Murder, rape and robbery statistics were probably pretty easy for you to just say we have a low rate for those crimes.

What about other felonies such as burglary (often referred to as property rape) and entering auto (that's stealing stuff from inside cars)? Also, what about the number of traffic fatalities that occur in this small city?

All of these are higher than they should be, and more often than not involve teenagers.

Am I saying shame on teenagers? No, I am saying things are going on all around you and you do not bother to open your eyes.

If you had opened your eyes in your son's case, you would have found the same things I did, as a citizen. These officers would go far beyond your comprehension to stop harm from coming to you, your son, and any other citizen.

On the days you spoke of, the police did their job, you did not. Under the Public Information Act, I went and discovered some things that any concerned parent would have in a similar case. I am going to tell you some things you may not want to hear, but keep something in mind. The police officers of this town did not need to hear what you said either.

You mentioned your son going to court to pay a speeding ticket. Why did he not just pay it ahead of time, or why did you not go to court with him? I know why he could not pay it ahead of time; do you?

Because, as it was published in every newspaper I know of in the state, he had to. When any person under 21 years old exceeds the posted limit by 24 or more miles per hour, his license is suspended (once found guilty in court).

I would think that any concerned parents would be aware of the new laws passed about a year ago to help save the lives of youth. The fine was already a set standard and the judge has no discretion on the suspension, by law. By the way, was he driving the family car when he got the ticket for speeding that fast?

Since at one point you referred to when and where you were raised, what would your parents have done if you did that? The same thing you did: let him drive the family car to court by himself, let alone drive at all? Did you not even bother to find out how fast he was going, or was it no big deal?

If he was mature enough to go to court alone, in your eyes, was he not mature enough to understand the judge when he said, "Your license is suspended and you cannot drive until this is cleared up." Then had your son sign the form indicating such and gave him a copy of it.

All of this is standard across the state. I wasn't there. You said he went to move the family car to another area in the parking lot. How could he do that when he was about to pull on to the road! I would tend to believe the other area was your driveway.

Now we move on to the part where you say, "This police officer cuffed him behind his back and dragged him back into court, where he sat for three hours."

When people get arrested they get handcuffed, point blank. Eighteen-year-olds are adults and can run or hurt police officers the same as any one else older.

You used the word "dragged." Did he receive abrasions about his head and body from the concrete, or did you just throw that word in to enhance the article? I think escorted or walked would be more appropriate, don't you?

Additionally, the police report said he was taken downstairs to the police station. Then when the judge heard about your son driving, he called for the officer to bring him back to him. The cuffs were taken off while he sat and waited for the judge. They were put back on after he saw the judge and was taken to Fayette County jail. Once again, arrested people get handcuffed, and they are not made for the pleasure and comfort of those who wear them.

You also said the officer could have spoken with him and offered him a ride home, or have him call his parents. Is a taxi service your idea of what protect and serve means? If he did not listen or care what the judge said about not driving, was he going to listen to a police officer? Why didn't your son call you after he paid his fine and before he started to drive out of the parking lot?

I have only one final point to make, and you probably won't like this any better than what I said above. If you would have been considerably more interested in your son's situation to find out some of the facts I have mentioned, and your son would have been a little more honest with you, you probably would not have publicly attempted to blame someone else for the problems at hand.

"Judge not lest ye be judged." I think you owe a group of people an apology.