Significant Progress

To the Editor:

As important and as vexing the traffic situation is in Newtown, it is only one aspect of the Police Commission’s responsibilities. It is important to note the other areas of concern. One of these is the safety and well being of our senior citizens.

The Newtown Police Department has effectively approached this concern from three aspects: prevention, education and operation.

Prevention of financial scams against the elderly and ensuring their overall day-to-day well-being has been addressed through the Triad program. The Triad Program is a joint partnership of local businesses, the Senior Center and the police department, which is designed to address the concerns of and give immediate assistance to the elderly.

Education is accomplished by the continual operation of the Citizens Police Academy, which serves the purposes of instructing seniors of the services available through the police department and at the same time creating a senior community policing program.

Operationally, the police department’s implementation of a new up-to-date townwide interoperable radio communication ensures a rapid response by police and EMTs to the emergency needs of the elderly. The implementation of the K-9 program has already paid dividends in the location of several seniors in heavily wooded areas.

I feel that the present Police Commission has made significant progress in assuring the security and welfare of our growing senior population and I would appreciate your support on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2007.

Thank you;

Gerald J. Finnegan

2 Driftway Drive, Newtown                                  September 21, 2007