I am writing in regard to the defunding of the Northampton Police Department. It was pushed through with no input from the citizens of Northampton.
One major impact is that the newest officers will be the ones to be laid off. Our very able chief specifically chose those officers in order to bring ethnic, racial, and gender diversity to the NPD. That diversity will be lost as the cuts to the NPD take place.
I did not attend the demonstrations in Northampton. So I didn’t witness police in riot gear. I do know some facts from reading the coverage. Demonstrators climbing on the roof of the police station and spray painting it. Demonstrators entering the police parking lot and damaging cruisers.
This damage will be repaired at taxpayers expense. I’ve lived in Northampton for 34 years. I’ve felt proud of this city in terms of its physical beauty and progressive politics. However, the balance seems to be tipping toward an “anything goes” type of attitude. Let’s restore some of that balance.
Mary Ingari
Florence