letter to the editor

Support our police department

Tue, 11/17/2020 - 8:15am

Dear Editor:

I am writing in strong support of the Boothbay Harbor Police Department. We are so fortunate to have one of the finest police departments in the state. The BHPD and its officers are exemplary. They are civic-minded and care deeply about our community. They go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of our region. This starts at the top with Chief Bob Hasch, who has received numerous community awards, including the YMCA’s Character Development Award for his vision, time, and innovative approach to combating the region’s opiate crisis. This is just one of many examples of his tireless efforts for the betterment of our community. Speaking of awards, Officer Larry Brown was recently recognized by the local Chamber of Commerce with the Citizen of the Year Award. He, too, is actively involved in our community and faithfully serves as the school resource officer. Officer Brown has a tremendous positive impact on our youth.

With the police department currently in contract negotiations, I’d like to encourage support for our exceptional police department whose positive impact on our community cannot be overstated. This is a department of officers who not only protect and serve our community, but they actively engage with our community volunteering their time and resources always with such dedication and heart.

The department and its officers are irreplaceable. Let’s not jeopardize losing them. The consequences of losing a local police department are severe. If we were to lose our police department and have to rely on the
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, response times would increase to 30 to 40 minutes which, in an emergency, is simply too long.

I urge the Boothbay Harbor Selectboard to consider their salary requests which simply puts them closer to being in line with other departments. Their requests are fair and reasonable. Losing them would be devastating to our community. We cannot risk losing these fine and caring officers. Please allow them to continue to do the good work that they do with an income commensurate with industry standards. Thank you, in advance, to the selectboard for your thoughtful and careful consideration of this important matter that affects each and every one of us.

Paul G. Coulombe

Southport