SO IS THIS HOPE, OR CHANGE? Judge tells residents to “Arm themselves.”

Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Alfred Mackey was asked what residents should do to protect themselves and their families with the severe cutback in law enforcement.

“Arm themselves,” the judge said. “Be very careful, be vigilant, get in touch with your neighbors, because we’re going to have to look after each other.”

Ashtabula County gun dealers and firearms instructors tell WKYC their business has really picked up since the Sheriff’s Department cutbacks began some months ago.

Reader Fred Ray emails: “This was one of things that happened during the Argentine collapse — governments ran out of money and couldn’t pay the cops, leaving the citizens to the mercy of the criminals. Buy lots of ammo…” Well, we’re not Argentina yet.