Dear Editor:

I am writing this as I think it is crucial to the peninsula’s continued success to have a reliable, consistent police department.

These are front line workers who put themselves on the line every day. Every time they do a wellness check or a traffic stop, they are put in a position to contract this deadly disease that is taking root in our beautiful county. They have proven to be very civic-minded and are not prone to shoot first and ask questions later.

Not too long ago, they were asked to diffuse a domestic disturbance with mental health issues at play, which in any other town probably would have ended in death of the perpetrator. Not in this town, as they were able to diffuse the situation and take the person into custody while maintaining a professionalism many departments should take note of.

I have worked with Officer Larry Brown numerous times to help with young adults in the community that have needed a job. I recently had an untimely death on my property from a boating accident and they were on the scene in a matter of minutes.

We have many foreign workers in our town every summer and we have never heard of any complaints about how they are treated. These are real people that have roots in our community and we need to keep them here. Think of what a total changeover in personnel would do to all who live here full time. It would change the feel of the town, no doubt.

If we need to cut the budget, we should be able to do that without losing what is undoubtedly one of the best police departments in the state. So many are doing all their town business online — maybe there are savings to be had at the town level.

Jack Cogswell

Carousel Marina

Boothbay Harbor