Prove your support for Metro Police

Friday, July 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

THE thousands of Las Vegans who say they support their local police verbally now have a chance to prove it.

Today, Officer Erik Bond is undergoing a critical operation in Seattle to combat the debilitating effects of Hodgkin's disease. The five-year veteran of Metro Police has undergone radiation and chemotherapy for more than a year, emptying the family's savings.

Bond's insurance company will only pay about half of the estimated $200,000 for a bone marrow transplant, leaving the family with a fortune in medical bills.

Despite tremendous support from other officers who have donated paid leave to help support the family and have volunteered with household duties, last week only $8 was in a bank account set up to help with the bills.

That, thankfully, is quickly changing. Perma-Bilt Homes pledged $5,000 and Walker Furniture will give no less than $7,000 -- $10 from each furniture sale -- to ease the family's burden.

And today volunteer Metro officers are manning intersections to garner more donations. Off-duty police will be on West Sahara Avenue medians, at Arville Street and Valley View, Decatur, Rainbow and Jones boulevards to take donations until 7 p.m.

Those not able to give at those locations can send checks to U.S. Bank, account number 9460048-581.

Helping the Bond family will show support for all Metro officers. Doctors believe Bond may have contracted the disease while suffering from stress, an all-too common affliction of police officers. They endure daily abuse from citizens, threats to their lives while each action is subject to intense public scrutiny. Their ranks have been increasingly stretched by limited budgets and growing population, raising the frustration to another level.

The outpouring of support by Metro officers shows the camaraderie within the department -- the willingness to help each other and their families.

The community can do the same by easing the burden of the Bond family, recognizing Metro's indispensable role in our lives.