When Michigan State Police Trooper and Central Cass Fire Assistant Chief Jesse Binns was arrested in September 2018, it was a shock to the community. A city leader, school board member and active citizen had embezzled nearly $20,000 from the fire department due to a gambling addiction.

Friday, Binns was sentenced in Cass County Court to 18 months’ probation for the crime of failing to keep public money safe. He was additionally sentenced to pay $18,971 in restitution.

The decision split both our editorial staff and our readers.

Some believed, as Binns’ lawyer argued, that Binns has already lost enough, including his wife and his job. Some said that Binns deserves forgiveness, that he was only battling the demons of addiction.

We also heard opinions on the other side of things — people expressing their disappointment at what seems like a light sentence, believing that he only received it due to his standing as a former trooper. After all, we often see drug addicts given higher sentences for stealing to support their habits.

The sentence has passed now, and we will neither argue for it or against it. However, we do believe that, as part of his sentence, Binns should lose his standing in the community and should not serve as a public servant again.

As individuals paid with taxpayer dollars, law enforcement officers and city officials are held to a higher standard than the average citizen. They must be above reproach and prove themselves to the communities they serve.

While we can forgive Jesse Binns, the person, we cannot forgive Jesse Binns, the public official.

When Binns stole what he did, no matter the reason, he betrayed the community, and he jeopardized the public’s trust in our law enforcement officials. That trust is essential to ensure that our communities stay safe and function well. If that trust is not there, citizens will not work with local governments, and it will only breed resentment on both sides.

Because of Binns, Michigan State Police and Cassopolis entities must work to regain the public’s trust and prove that they are hiring wisely and carefully tracking public money.

We do genuinely hope that Binns finds the help needs to overcome his gambling addiction — just so long as he does it far from the public eye.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton and sports editor Scott Novak.