Editor, The Spotlight;
As the wife of a Bethlehem police officer, I live every day knowing that someday my husband may not return home safely. I know we live in a safe town and that our police do not regularly face the type of danger that is common in larger cities. However, I still worry and feel tremendous stress for my husband’s safety, since police work is inherently dangerous. This kind of worry and stress is common among police families and something we endure as the love ones of a police officer.
My husband is dedicated to his work, and as a family we support him in his calling. We try not to think or talk about the bad things that might happen, but truthfully, our fear of losing him or experiencing a serious injury is ever present. Back in December, when two New York City policemen were assassinated in their patrol car, our personal fears became more tangible and our lives a little more tense. Also, the recent social unrest and negative publicity towards police has further made the occupation more dangerous.
In Bethlehem, we think of ourselves as a law-abiding community, and we take for granted that our children are safe on the streets. We come to expect excellence in our schools and a high level public safety. As a wife of a police officer, I have firsthand knowledge of the arrests, interventions, preventive measures and overall good work of our town police officers. The police have always enjoyed the support of the Bethlehem community, but lately, there have been problems.
As I write this letter, Supervisor Clarkson and the Town Board have reduced the police department by seven police officers and have no plans to fill the vacancies. With that said, there are fewer patrol cars on the street, which decreases the safety of our officers, families and businesses. Also, Supervisor Clarkson has imposed new rules that further limit the ability of police officers to take time off for illness, a child’s doctor’s appointment, or even a family emergency. There are even certain shifts where no one can take off, no matter what the reason. The ability to spend time with family and friends has been essentially limited to mid-week days when events are rarely planned.
My husband becoming a police officer was a family decision. We knew the job would require family sacrifices, and there have been many through the years. However, the recent changes in policies have gone too far. As a family, we have willingly dealt with these difficulties, but are becoming increasingly disheartened by recent policies enacted by our elected officials. We need relief from the political games that are being played, which affect the safety and well being of the town and our families.
So I ask you, the next time you see Supervisor Clarkson or a member of the Town Board, will you please ask them what they are doing to help the police, their children and families to foster the type of secure lifestyle we all deserve as Americans? As police families, we need and are grateful for your support.
Lauren McCarroll Corrigan
Bethlehem
