LETTER: Support Updating The Public Safety Complex In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT ? I would like to encourage Enfield residents to vote YES for the public safety complex referendum ballot question.

The state wants to give Enfield $12.8 million in state funds. The town council understands that many people are opposed to tax dollars being used from any level of government. However, our position is that those state bond dollars are going to go somewhere, so Enfield gets its fair share of those dollars

Our EMS department is housed in a former firehouse which is inadequate for their needs. The bays can?t hold all the ambulances, medication is not stored in a climate-controlled environment, and there is not enough space for trainings and other activities required by law and the regulations created by the Office of Emergency Medical Services. The EMS crews have ?made do? and done workarounds for long enough. Any further deterioration could impact patient care.

There are new demands on policing. The emphasis on cybercrime and identity theft, new technology, increased demands for maintaining evidence, and the addition of staff resources in the shape of DCF workers and social workers means more space is needed. The numerous female police officers also deserve a locker room of their own and a place for their gear.

There are also new laws that require increased training. A larger training facility will be a benefit for in-house trainings instead of sending officers all over the state. There will be the added benefit of having a facility that can host larger groups. Officers from other towns would pay to attend, and other agencies may be interested in renting it, which would generate revenue for the town.

Lastly, the department?s firearms range is located at the transfer station. This negatively impacts and limits a variety of trainings, since it can only be used during the day. As seen with the recent tragedy in Bristol, officers need to be trained for all scenarios, including shooting in the dark and ambush scenarios.

In order to continue to attract quality candidates to work in EMS and the police department, we need to provide them with the tools they need to do their jobs on the front line. Please vote YES on November 8th.

Mayor Bob Cressotti
Enfield

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