THE CHIEF'S VIEW

Every year, I hear people say they must decide between driving to work safely or losing their job. I, too, own a business and have had to talk to my employees about this concern. As a Police Chief and a business owner, I put people before the business.
I recognize that the most important asset I have as a business owner is my staff. From a purely selfish perspective, I recognize that I have invested greatly in my staff through hiring and training. From a decent person’s perspective, I recognize that no job is worth risking another person's life simply to get to the office.
As a Police Chief, I know the dangers that exist on Highway 68 are speeding, tailgating, unsafe passing, distracted driving, poor visibility, not turning on your headlights and brake lights, slippery conditions, and more. Before the weather and roads get bad, I encourage both employees and employers to sit down and talk about situations where it may be too dangerous for employees to drive to work. Discuss scenarios and options for anticipated weather conditions as well as unexpected storms and ice.
Planning will not only save someone’s life, but it can also help protect the business.