Opinion: 'New Bethel Police Station in Right Location'

Proposed Bethel Police Station In Right Location

December 14, 2012, the day 20 innocent children and 6 educators were mercilessly killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School by a deranged youth, forever changed the mission and practices of every School District in the country , especially here in Bethel.

The safety of our school children and teaching staffs has always been of paramount importance to the Bethel School District. The key takeaway from the Sandy Hook massacre ended up being very simple to understand but somtimes difficult to execute:

Individuals intending harm must be kept away or out of buildings as long as possible AND Police intervention must be as fast as humanly possible

The proposed location of Bethel’s new Police Station (which is sorely needed and long overdue) will be built on town property in close proximity to the High School, a design followed in other communities. The Board of Education and the School Administration wholeheartedly support this location. Emergency response time will be meaningfully improved by the new Police Building located closer to our schools.

Bethel Police Officers have always been great resources to the school system, befriending troubled children, counseling adolescents about the dangers of substance abuse and the evils lurking in the internet world. If asked, they have helped diffuse bullying, mean behavior and harrassment when it occurs. The Police have provided guidance to Schools as they refine their Safety & Security Plans to become more effective against “all hazards.” More importantly, they assist when these plans are tested to assure the execution and results happen as anticipated. Bethel Police have been good neighbors, helpful as teachers and counselors, keeping our children and young adults out of harms way. They are an important part of the Bethel school community.

Building a new facility, expected to last the next 40-50 years, costs money. Every year we wait to resolve this long-standing need increases cost, and potentially makes our community less safe.

Vote your will, but don’t let the building’s location determine your decision. It’s time this gets done!

Larry Craybas

Chairman, Bethel Board of Education

Bethel Resident