PALO VERDE VALLEY TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018  A3

Opinion
Editorial

Big changes A Day in the Life

Broken hearts on Valentine’s Day

under
universities
J
ust like so many people on
Valentine’s Day, I woke
up with a pep in my step,
a cheerful heart and had
Libraries beginning to remove
every reason in the world to
smile, assuming the entire day
would be wonderful.
I believe, when 17 other people
prepared themselves that morn-
ing for a wonderful school day
of receiving candy grams and
flowers from secret admirers at
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High
School in Parkland, Florida,
they, too never could’ve imag-
ined not returning home at the
end of the day, spending the
evening with close loved ones
and friends.
However, when my dad called
me to inform me of the horrific
way at
Reporter
Cathyleen Rice
news that took place around 2:30
his time, my stomach dropped
into my shoes. So many ques-
tions raced through my mind as
anger and disgust tried to take
root, but then I remembered a
Bible verse that tells us, we must
love one another.
That’s why I make it a case in
point to be a leading light in this
dark world. I can’t say I lead a
life with no convictions, because
let’s face it, no one is perfect, but
everyday I try to smile, share a
hug, a corny joke or try to make
someone feel good, even if I don’t
feel so inside, because we never
The Mighty Pen
know who needs it.
Even in high school, I was the
queen socialite, a member of
every clique, because I always
knew that being a listening ear
and a ray of sunshine could help
even the darkest person change,
which is something the suspect
shooter may have needed.
Nonetheless, from this mas-
sacre, I believe there are several
things to learn: we must embrace
those who feel alone and aban-
doned; we should always forgive
quickly and remind people how
much we love them, because we
never know if we’ll get another
opportunity; we must say some-
thing when we see something
and above all, we must hate evil
and do good!
books as technology evolves
It’s hard to imagine a library without physi-
cal books. After all, libraries have traditionally
been repositories of books, aisle after aisle of ref-
erence material, fiction, non-fiction and more.
But there is a change underway, as some
university libraries are starting to put books in
storage, contracting with resellers or recycling
them, the Associated Press reports, because so
much of the information is now available online.
Academics told the AP that the move is an
uncomfortable one.
However, libraries are facing increasing chal-
lenges: lack of space, dusty, unused books and
books that are dated or no longer necessarily
relevant.
One university library found that nearly half
of its collection had been uncirculated for 20
years or more.
As more books become digitized, is there
still the same need for the vast repositories at a
library?
Libraries are amazing resource, and anyone
can access a library, regardless of income level.
One simply has to be able to get there and get a
library card. And there is something magical
about having an actual copy of a book in one’s
hands, flipping through the pages, searching
for information, and, when in doubt, asking a
librarian for help.
And sometimes, one might not know what
book one needs until one finds it, searching
through volume after volume until the right
information is found, which is easier to do with
access to physical books.
But online libraries provide a few key ben-
efits. No longer does one have to wait for the
library to open to access information — instead,
it’s available 24-7. And no longer does one have
to lug around heavy, bulky tomes. Instead, one
can check the book out digitally, download it to
a tablet or computer, and access it in its entirely.
Frankly, there is value to both online access
and physical books, leaving libraries with tough
decisions on the table.
What do you think, readers? Are university li-
braries right to clear out some of these volumes,
or is it a bad idea? Let us know. Share your
thoughts online at www.pvvt.com, or send us a
Letter to the Editor at webmaster@pvvt.com.

On Parkland, Florida,
school shooting
Today is a day to
mourn and pray for
the victims of the
Valentine’s Day school
shooting in Parkland,
Florida. It is not a day
to point fingers and cast
blame. However, as the
Chief of Police I strongly
believe it is never too
soon to educate our kids
and ask for the public’s
help to avoid anything
like this ever occurring
here in Blythe.
Numerous media
outlets are reporting the
warning signs we too
often only hear about
after a tragedy such as
this. In this case specifi-
cally there are reports
that the suspect suffered
from depression, was
expelled from school,
and had rules in place
that he was not allowed
to have a backpack on
campus. It was known
that the suspect was an
avid shooter and had
shown shooting videos
to fellow students. There
were even reports that
the shooter had been
“voted most likely” to
commit a school shoot-
ing.
Whether all or some
Letter to the Editor
of these reports are true,
the bottom line is there
were warning signs and
lost opportunities to
report suspicious behav-
ior to the school and law
enforcement. Research
indicates that these
youth do not simply just
“snap.” There are warn-
ing signs prior to acting
out. The Secret Service
has found that in 75%
of the cases they stud-
ied, other youth knew
about the attack before
it occurred, and an adult
had expressed concerns
about the student. In
more than half the cases
more than one adult had
expressed concern.
Here in Riverside
County we have strict
protocols to deal with
suspicious behavior and
reports such as these
at schools. Known as
the “Kids with Guns
Protocol,” the response
procedures and respon-
sibilities are specifically
defined for law enforce-
ment, Riverside County
Probation, Riverside
County Office of Educa-
tion, Riverside County
Behavioral Health, Riv-
erside County District
Attorney, and Riverside
County Child Protective
Services.
These protocols were
updated in 2016 and
renamed the “School
Threat Assessment and
Response,” or STAR pro-
tocol. These protocols
are to be used for pre-
vention, threat assess-
ment, intervention, and
response to youth who
are at risk to commit a
violent act.
The key here is acti-
vation of these proto-
cols. In the weeks and
months after Sept. 11,
2001, I recall Americans
were laser-focused on
their surroundings and
determined to prevent
another attack. We were
more vigilant, more
afraid. I know I was.
Fear is not comfort-
able, but it does make us
more aware. “See some-
thing, say something”
may not be an awe
inspiring slogan, but it
works: Many crimes re-
ported to us here at the
police department are
stopped or solved by one
person who reported
some minuscule be-
havior that “just didn’t
seem right.”
Blythe is a small,
isolated city. We seem to
know more about each
other’s business, partly
because of our isolation,
but mostly because we
care. We have to re-
main alert and take the
time to report behavior
that “just doesn’t seem
right,” to the school,
to law enforcement, to
mental health, or child
protective services.
The Blythe Police De-
partment will continue
to train with the Palo
Verde Unified School
District to remain
prepared for events like
that which occurred in
Florida, but we would
obviously prefer to stop
it before it occurs.
As always my staff
and I are available to
answer any questions
and investigate any
crime occurring within
the City of Blythe. Any-
one wishing to report
any crime or suspicious
activity is urged to con-
tact the Blythe Police
Department at 922-6111
or they can give their
information anony-
mously by calling Crime
Stop at 921-CARE (2273),
by E-Mail at blythepd@
cityofblythe.ca.gov , or
on our Instagram or
Facebook pages.
JEFF WADE, CHIEF OF POLICE
Blythe
Obituary
Brenda McCoy
April 12, 1961-February 5, 2018
Brenda McCoy (NaNa B), 56,
born April 12th, 1961 entered into
eternal life February 5th, 2018.
Survived by her husband Jeff
McCoy, son Jeremy (Stehpanie)
McCoy, Dad Dave Cullen.
Grandsons Justin Joey, Jaxin,
Josh, Cheyenne &
granddaughter Kailee. Great
grandson Jace. Sister' Robyn
(Rick) Osife, Cindy (James) Holt.
Brothers Alex, David & Donny
Cullen. Mama Judy Atkins,
Leilani & Sherri Atkins. James
Atkins & numerous nieces & nephews. Pets, Woody,
Twoee, Dozer, Sassy, & Kitty-Boy. Proceeded by
Mother Barbara Cullen, Neva. Sister Rhonda, Father
James Atkins, Niece Windy Holt.
Never forgotten, Forever in our Hearts.
Please sign the guestbook at
www.legacy.com/obituaries/paloverdevalleytimes
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