I do not know why the City Council was so shocked at Police Chief Robert Haigh’s announcement at their Jan. 18 meeting. “Some of my (elderly) neighbors ask who is going to respond if they need the police. My answer was to call 911 and maybe a city officer would respond but it could be the State Police and who knows how long it will take.” This was a quote from my letter to the editor last year. I also believe I mentioned it to the council when I was a member, that this may happen when considering a vote to reduce the budget. Next, who’s to blame? Lets see, the mayor and the chief? No, I believe they submitted an operable budget request for the fiscal year. So let’s walk down memory lane for a moment. City councilors vote on each and every budget either to fund in full or reduce the requested budget. With staffing costs making up 98% of a budget, give or take a reduction would only result in layoffs or not filling vacant spots. So I believe every councilor needs to do one thing. That is to remember how they voted and look in the mirror. If you voted for the reduction you are looking at the only one to blame, not the mayor or chief. I urge all residents who do not feel safe with not having a sufficient police force to write to all city councilors and let them know how you feel. I believe there will be a driving force by this council to reduce the police budget more for next year and I don’t want to draft another letter saying I told you so.

Edward F. Jarvis

Greenfield

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