Mayor: Thank A Police Officer Today

To the editor:

What is the cost of a safe community?

Residents ask for only a few things, low taxes, great schools, and a safe community.

The ambush in Dallas of police officers demonstrates how very dangerous the job of a police officer has become. No one could have imagined that something like this could happening, even in Dallas.

Is there any separation between small communities across our nation and this devastating murder of these police officers in Dallas?

I recently spoke with a police detective who had volunteered his time away from his family at the recent MMA Youth Leadership Academy held at Ramapo College. He said, that since 9/11 it seemed like we all have forgotten how strongly we all felt about police and first responders, that it seemed like people had become comfortable and to some degree, and that we have forgotten that pat on the back and the applause in the airports when a military soldier walked through the concourse, or a kind word of thanks for police officers and first responders.

I cannot change what happened in Dallas, but I can ask just one simple request. Please let our fine North Jersey police officers and their families know how very much we appreciate the level of safety and dedication they provide us every day around the clock. Make no mistake, a simple "thank you" means so much at a time like this to both our police officers and their families, who live with very different concerns today.

Thank you,
Bill Laforet

The author is the mayor of Mahwah

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