Seventy-two years ago, a movie by Stanley Kramer Productions, starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, was released. This film, HIGH NOON, narrates the story of a retiring town Sheriff in the fictitious village of Hardleyville, New Mexico, on his wedding day. Unbeknownst to the Sheriff, four outlaws are coming to town to kill him. Three outlaws wait at the local train station for the fourth, who is due to arrive by High Noon. When the Sheriff learns about the outlaws, he turns to the townspeople he had protected for years, seeking their help. However, they turn their backs on him, a poignant moment underscoring the Sheriff’s unwavering dedication to his duty.
The film can be seen as a reflection of the dedication and plight of today’s police officers. Despite the rare instances of questionable police actions, such as [specific example], the country seemed to turn its back on the police. The police, like the Sheriff in the film, have shown unwavering dedication to their duty, yet they have been held responsible for what was considered wrong about society. The ‘Silent Majority,’ a phrase coined by Richard Nixon during the 1968 Presidential campaign, remained silent, allowing the few to control the direction and narrative of the day.
The 21st-century’ Silent Majority’ has allowed a few social reform groups to dominate the criminal justice system, significantly impacting law enforcement. Their silence has empowered legislators and reform prosecuting attorneys to swiftly change the country’s perception of criminal activity. This marked a significant shift towards a system that prioritized criminal rights over victim rights, a change influenced mainly by the ‘Silent Majority’ apathy. It’s crucial for every citizen to understand their role in shaping the criminal justice system.
The traditional police officer ‘on the beat’ was at the forefront of this change. He was now held accountable for arresting and acting against those who committed criminal activity. And if force was used, it was as if the heavens themselves would not be enough to protect them. As any police officer will tell you, a good percentage of arrests entail physical force on the officer’s part. Strangely, the US Department of Justice does not keep a detailed record of the force used against an officer during an arrest. It is rare for an officer to fire their service weapon during a tour of duty, but they are often the ones who end up being assaulted and shot.
With free-flowing immigration at the Southern and Northern borders, currently estimated at ten million illegal immigrants, the problem has become untenable. Mixed among the millions illegally crossing the borders are criminals. This influx of illegal immigrants, some of whom were involved in criminal activities in their native countries, has put additional strains on the law enforcement system from top to bottom. Every day, we see more documentation of the criminal activity going on by illegal immigrants. Illegal gangs are forming in the host communities and starting to reign terror in those communities. The challenges faced by law enforcement due to immigration are immense and should be a cause for concern for all citizens.
The cost of housing, feeding, and medical treatment for 10 million people who do not speak their native tongue is astronomical. Taxpayer dollars are supporting the illegals, and that support does come with the full consensus of the tax-paying citizens. Segments of the affected communities that at one time supported the influx of illegals are starting to regret their initial support, but it may be too late.
Like the town of Hardleyville, evil has come, and the ‘Gun Fight’ is on. This ‘Gun Fight’ symbolizes the ongoing struggle of law enforcement against criminal elements, including illegal immigration and the changing criminal justice system. It can be hoped that this time the police will win the day also, but this victory is contingent on the actions of the 21st-century’ Silent Majority’.
