Community Policing vs

Policing The Community

To the Editor

Rob Cox is right [“Town Is Moving In The Wrong Direction,” Letter Hive 6/1/12], as I am apparently one of many Newtowners who have experienced a negative encounter with our police force while driving our children to school.

The officer pulled me over and ticketed me for a commonplace passing maneuver by the flagpole. Although I was driving within speed limits and had children in the car, I was chastised by the officer (threatened really) for not pulling over fast enough once he hit the lights. There clearly was a palpable disconnect between this young officer and his relationship to a member of our community. Whether such conduct is endemic to our police force by policy or poor training, it appears to be a widespread problem.

If our elected officials are not sensitive to this spreading concern, the disconnect between our community and local police may grow into a gulf of misunderstanding and resentment.

Neal DeYoung

9 Gopher Road, Newtown                                                   June 3, 2012