MOUNT POCONO -- After another deadly shooting involving law enforcement over the weekend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, police officers in our area are weighing in on the struggles of the job.
Patrolman Jim Apgar has been a police officer for more than 20 years. He even worked in Baton Rouge for a short time, so the latest shooting hits home for him.
Apgar, who works for Pocono Mountain Regional Police, can usually be seen riding around on his patrol bike throughout Mount Pocono.
"It's comforting for people to see us around," said Apgar. "I know especially in the commercial areas, the older people like it because when they come out to their car merchants like it."
But the job can also be difficult, especially in light of recent events involving law enforcement.
The shooting that took place over the weekend in Baton Rouge that killed three officers hit hard for Apgar. He used to work in that city.
"I have been doing this job for a long time. My son is a police officer and I have three all together in the military, and we, over the past few days, talked about this and you have to show that we are not afraid."
And that's exactly how Apgar patrols his beat: without fear. He tells us over the last few months, he's seen a significant amount of support for law enforcement in the Poconos.
"What happened was tragic. What happened should not have happened, but we also have a job to do. I think it helps people because I have gotten so many nice comments from people, and people stopping their cars like that, waving, and it just lets us know they are happy we are here."
Some women who work in the Mount Pocono shopping plaza feel at ease when they see the patrolman go by. They tell us it's important to show law enforcement that the community is on their side.
"They are getting a bad name for, like, anything else maybe you have a few bad, but there are more good police officers than there are bad and we do need them," said Hilary Warner of East Stroudsburg.
Apgar tells us right now the need for trust between the community and law enforcement is more important than ever and hopes to see the continued support carry on.
