Set behavior guidelines

For as long as I can remember, teenagers have hung out downtown. The last couple of decades has seen a deterioration of civility.

My last assignment in the U.S. Air Force was adjutant of a 400-man squadron. I had a guideline for behavior: “You treat others like you would want to be treated. I have zero tolerance for profanity, name-calling, put-downs, smart mouths or rudeness.” Whenever that takes place, instead of defusing a problem, it escalates the problem. Also, I said that if you have a conflict, you had better settle it peacefully because you do not want me involved. I had almost zero problems. I have followed that policy for decades with the same results.

Today, there is the attitude that no one is going to tell me what to do, say, act or behave on or in public property. That is not acceptable. The city needs a guideline for behavior, and then enforce it. No one needs to put up with a bunch of nonsense. Maybe the city needs to hire a group of retired master sergeants and knock a few heads.

Nothing was said about surveillance cameras, which should be the day and night type. The ones we recently installed show extremely clear pictures and were rather inexpensive.

Bert Porter

Spokane Valley