Comments from the director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources reinforced a bad decision by the State House last week to override Gov. Mark Sanford's veto of money for a memorial for law enforcement officers.

The governor made reference to the veto last week during a speech he delivered at Hilton Head Island to a gathering of Beaufort County business leaders. The governor's veto may be overridden but his logic is sound: At a time of such great need, a half-million dollars could be spent more wisely.

Any state law enforcement agency -- DNR, the Department of Public Safety, the State Law Enforcement Division -- could use the money.

DNR Director John Frampton points out that license revenue is off by nearly $500,000 for the first four months of 2003. This lack of revenue coupled with budget reductions has caused the agency to reduce services. DNR also has 170 vacant full-time employee positions, including 61 natural resources enforcement officer positions, that can't be filled, Frampton said. That's the equivalent of a reduction of more than one law enforcement officer per county. "If this trend isn't reversed and license sales continue to decline, an agencywide reduction in force and the elimination of additional programs and services could be necessary."

Frampton also says that the agency has not hired new law enforcement officers in three years. "Such losses in the enforcement area has lead to a reduced enforcement presence on the water, in the woods and elsewhere."

In speeches this month, the governor volunteered to work with legislators to help raise private money for the law enforcement memorial. It's too bad the House wouldn't listen.

Prudence would have served South Carolinians better. Fewer enforcement officers means that needs go unmet. Lawbreakers, whether speeders, poachers, unsafe boaters or hardened criminals, get a break while law-abiding citizens suffer.

Meeting the needs of law enforcement should come before erection of a monument.