To the Editor:

I am usually of one mind with Dan Rosenthal when it comes to local issues, but I strongly disagree with his letter regarding the recent police bill.

Meeting with the Chief of Police and understanding local concerns should have been done well before declaring a position. After the fact is too late. Resignations have been tendered, and excellent candidates dissuaded from applying. Crime is up. Trust is broken. The handling of this bill was incredibly disrespectful to the officers who put their lives at risk during our worst moments.

Dan knows on the local level we would not pass something flawed just to pass it. Most of our delegation raised concerns with the bill as written, while Rebekah Harriman-Stites made the impetuous declaration that she “would have voted in full support of this bill.”

This is a microcosm of Connecticut’s transparency problems. It was called in special session, at 1 am, during a pandemic. There was no public vetting and important local input was shut out. It put political urgency over good policy making. It was understood to be flawed, yet passed anyway. It is no surprise police groups are speaking against Democrat candidates.

Sadly, this type of behind-closed-doors governing and not knowing what is in bills is far too common with Hartford Dems.

Part of a legislator’s job is to scrutinize language and weigh the unintended consequences. To be objective and temper reactions. To represent all constituents, including police officers and their families. Public safety is too important an issue to be reckless with for political points.

This highlights the dichotomy between the candidates. Please join me in supporting proven, objective and thoughtful leadership in Representative Bolinsky.

My comments are my own and not on behalf of the Legislative Council of which I am a member.

Thank you,

Ryan Knapp

11 Jeremiah Road, Sandy Hook October 21, 2020