Dear Editor:

I am aware that the Boothbay Harbor Police Department is in contract negotiations. I can offer a unique perspective and possibly a cautionary tale.

In 1998 the town of Cortlandt (Manor) disbanded its local police department. Cortlandt covers 50.02 square miles with a current population of 41,592. Cortlandt is patrolled by Westchester County Police (the North Command with a station at Cortlandt Town Hall) coordinating with New York State Troopers. These are good men and women doing their best to do a challenging job.

The Cortlandt Police Department had a chief, three sergeants, a detective, four officers and five dispatchers. This department was made up of men and women, neighbors, who knew the town and its residents. They had the time and desire to care.

The streets they patrolled were streets they grew up on, as well as streets they now lived on. They were a step ahead of the teens in their shenanigans because they’d done all that before. They knew how to relate to them.

When we had events at our Museum, the officers assigned stayed to chat and were as interested in the historical exhibits as our visitors were.

Seeing their cars drive around our neighborhood on regular patrols was comforting and reminded us that law enforcement knew we existed.

No matter how dedicated our county and state patrols are, they cannot have that same connection. There’s just too much ground to cover and too many souls to care about to allow for forming relationships.

Local law enforcement is invaluable. The Boothbay Harbor Police Department cares for the home front, not only on the job but also through the community service that they are as passionate about as they are about their careers. I don’t know the specifics of these contract negotiations, but I can assure you that if the town allows this department to be disrespected and, heaven forbid, be disbanded, there will be a hole in the community that cannot be filled. Giving these dedicated people just compensation for all they do will allow them to afford to live in this wonderful community. They, and all the residents of Boothbay Harbor, should want that.

Laura Lee Keating

Cortlandt Manor, New York and East Boothbay