The New Year was a great time and fairly epic celebration in downtown Fredericksburg--at least until a drunk male punched my friend as we were walking down the street.

Recently, I thanked the police for their service in Spotsylvania County; I wish I could say the same for city police.

While my friends were pulling this guy off the assaulted individual, one officer asked my friend if he wanted to go to jail. In the officer's defense, he arrived at the scene at the tail end of the incident, and made it easier to walk away from what could have been a killing--the male had his boot on my friend's head on the concrete and threatened to kill him. It would be comforting to think that we can roam the streets sober and not have to deal with belligerent, intoxicated people.

I hope everyone makes 2013 a safe and happy year, and think about why they should be thankful.

Joseph Zuk

Spotsylvania