The Police Commissioner Responds

To the Editor:

Respecting divergent views, it is not the policy of the Board of Police Commissioners to respond to letters to the editor. However, we feel that a reply is in order due to the errors and insinuations contained in the July 11, 2007, letter submitted by Bruce Walczak.

It appears that despite his attendance at recent commission public meetings, Mr Walczak has drawn conclusions at variance with requirements necessary for the recommendation of speed bumps that the commission has repeatedly presented in public forums. Mr Walczak improperly inferred that the commission’s recent decision to follow the Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan recommendation for the installation of speed bumps on Queen Street was motivated by a lack of concern for traffic volumes on Main Street and Church Hill Road; that a pedestrian safety issue does not exist on Queen Street; and that the commission acted due to so called “political clout” of unnamed residents.

The commission strongly disagrees with all assumptions since its decision was made after a professional study of the area traffic. Efforts have been made to alleviate safety concerns in the area with a special effort not to move those concerns to neighboring roads. It strongly opposes Mr Walczak’s repeated attempts to create bad feelings and dissension in the borough by pitting the residents of one road against another road. Perhaps the most telling endorsement of the commission’s efforts in this area would be found in the July 12, 2007, letter of James Gaston, warden, Borough of Newtown, commending the Board of Police Commissioners for clearly heeding the concerns of the Board of Burgesses.

Very truly yours,

Carol Mallegat

Chairman

3 Main Street, Newtown                                                   July 18, 2007