Regarding the article, “Everett firefighters drove drunken man nearly to Marysville, left him”: Kirk Spencer, I know the man. I’ve known him for six years and all I’ve ever known him as is a drunk. He’ been hit crossing Broadway four or five times, drunk, and in search of more booze, been kicked out the mission, and, out of in front of every store in North Everett. I know he’s been seen numerous times by many of who think he should be put in Western State, or Fairfax, for his own protection.
I do not know any of the firefighters who decided to take him and drop him off under the bridge by Marysville. Nor do I know what they are “normally” like, but I do know what we are “normally” like, and our past is no protection from the consequences of our current behavior. If it were, then I would and should be excused for my addiction-driven criminal career. After all, I only started getting high since March of 1999 when my wife dies, and was first arrested in June 2006. All my criminal activity was out of frustration and addiction. Surely if the people paid to be first responders have an excuse for their behavior, so do I, right? Before my son was born, and the lethal leukemia diagnosis of my late wife, I was gainfully employed and law-abiding. Newly married, taking care of my family, money in the bank, member of a church, giving to my community, the list goes on. Just like the firefighters here, I just reached my breaking point. Surely you understand, right? Wrong!
I am not asking you to excuse my lapse of judgement, and neither should they! I realized mine lasted more than a decade, but I wasn’t employed as a public servant, either. As I’m sure most agree, our public service agencies, while employing human beings who are prone to error, this error is too much. Excusing it, for any reason, especially based on past performance, is too much. Some restitution/punishment is in order. As I am paying for my felonious behaviors, they should pay for theirs. Someone could have easily lost their life here because of this negligence. Even if he is a drunk, he is still a human being.
Travis Verlinde
Everett
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