I'm writing this in support of police officer Steve Timberlake (Jan. 19 "Police officer breaks policy"). Do you, the residents of Portsmouth, even know about the drugs in our town?

The suspect could have had a gun or knife. Timberlake could have been shot or stabbed.

The suspect was asked to show his hands several times, but he didn't. The officer fell from a 3-foot wall. Does anyone care about that? Drugs are coming from big cities to this area.

I look at it like this: police officers, narcotic units and detectives put their lives in danger every time they do a drug bust. We should be proud of them, not disrespect them.

They are here to protect us from the drug dealers, and our children from drug dealers and our children from drugs.

The streets are full of drugs. Let's stand together with the law enforcement and help them fight, too. Portsmouth, get a grip. Steve Timberlake isn't the bad one here. Helping the police keep drugs out of Portsmouth could save a lot of lives. I know a lot of young people who have died as a result drugs. Pills and crack cocaine could take someone's life. I encourage the residents of Portsmouth to stand behind this officer, Steve Timberlake, and the others, too.

Sue Pack

Portsmouth

Resident questions news value of PHS principal story

I am writing you in response to the front-page news article in a recent edition of the Portsmouth Daily Times. I was appalled when I read the article on Portsmouth High School Principal Eddie Scott's lapse in judgment. It seems to me Mr. Scott paid for his mistake in a few different ways. But to have his story on the front page, that is just plain wrong. Are there people out there who think a person should continue to suffer pain and humiliation after admitting his or her mistake! I think it was a very sad day in journalism on the part of you and the Daily Times. Surely, there were more newsworthy stories that day.

J.R. Hall

West Portsmouth

Writer says principal's actions concern only family, superintendent

I have sent a letter to the editor about the Veteran's Day program that took place at Portsmouth High School for the students and staff thanking all the good people in Portsmouth who helped make the program successful.

Did you put it in the paper? Well, the answer is "no." But you sure jumped at the opportunity to put something about the high school principal in the paper to make the system look bad.

That was something that was no one's business but his family and the superintendent of the school.

We all have made mistakes, and as far as I'm concerned, Mr. Scott is a nice man and doing a great job at Portsmouth High/Junior High School.

Sandra Merritt

Lucasville