Are we safe? Some think so
Other local residents are not so sure
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, September 11, 2008 11:16 AM PDT
Ontario — Area residents are split on whether or not they feel safer after the deadly Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In an informal survey conducted in downtown Ontario Wednesday, some people said they felt safe, while others said they felt many measures established since the 9/11 attacks are troubling.
“I just think most of the things they have enacted are stupid,” Ontario resident Alishia Ledger said. “They’ve taken away more of our rights than they’ve helped us.”
A total of 2,973 people, including nearly 400 rescue workers, died in the attacks. In the aftermath of 9/11, Congress passed the controversial Patriot Act, a law that made it easier to monitor suspected terror suspects.
Ontario resident Jessie Crittenden said she believed the laws enacted after 9/11 made her safer.
“Because of all the laws we have now,” she said. “The added protection from the laws and military.”
Ontario resident Merle Helm said he believed sending the military overseas has made the United States more susceptible to attack.
“It’s a lot safer in the air than it is on the ground because there are a lot of ways for people to invade us,” he said. “Most of our military is not here, it’s in Iraq.”
New Plymouth resident Pete Peterson also said the war is impeding his ability to feel safe.
“They’re doing the wrong thing,” he said of the Bush administration. “They’re invading Iraq when he’s (Osama bin Ladin) supposed to be in Afghanistan.”
Bin Ladin has taken responsibility for the 9/11 attacks and has yet to be captured by authorities. Ontario resident Aaron Ballou said he believed the 9/11 attacks “opened the door” for more terrorist activity.
“No matter how much you try,” he said. “You’re not going to be able to stop it.” Ontario resident Brad Betts also said he does not feel completely safe.
“From 1 to 100,” Betts said of how safe he feels. “I’d say under 50. The simple fact is, as far as I know, they haven’t caught him (bin Laden). Security has gotten a lot stricter now, but all they got to do is go plastic.”
A resident who declined to be named also said the new regulations did not make her feel safe.
“Look how many people have been really put out by their name being on some list,” she said, asserting children who appear on the list are searched. “However, you can get around it by using different initials. If we can get around it, so can the terrorists.”
However, another resident, who also declined to be named, said she felt safer because the 9/11 attacks forced America to be more alert.
“We’re always safer when we’re more alert,” she said.
Ontario resident Jim Springer also said he feels safe.
“There doesn’t seem to be any problems,” he said.
Another resident who declined to be named said she does not feel safe because of the media.
“It’s in the news,” she said. “It’s everywhere.”
