As you all should know by now, the Town Manager, and three of the five Select Board members, are attempting to defund the Camden Police Department, and contract through the Knox County SheriD’s Office. They tried to do this behind our backs, first step, sign a temporary agreement to have the Sheriff be the interim chief instead of using our own resources. That agreement had already been set, without anyone knowing. They will try to tell you that this wasn’t the case, but the agreement/contract was signed the day after community members voiced their opinions and concerns about it at a Select Board meeting.

“Maybe the officers within the department didn’t want to do it?” you say? They were never asked.

The misinformation being spread/spoken by the Town Manager and a few Select Board members is very concerning. We “lose so many?”

Someone did not do their homework for five of our officers who have been there 10, 20, and 30 plus years. There were a few in recent years that gave at least two decades, then retired.

There’s a “strong sheriff's presence, I see them in town all the time?”

Of the 7,100 calls the Camden Police had, Knox County deputies responded to 130 calls in Camden. They also put out the budget that goes to Knox County, and made it seem like that’s what we pay to the Sheriff's Department, when in reality, a lot of that goes to the Department of Corrections and the regional call center.

And shame on Miss McKellar for saying our officers' jobs are “demoralizing” at the last SB meeting. Our officers knew what they were signing up for, for better or worse. They are born first responders; they are the helpers. If you’re not paying attention, or following along, now is the time to start.

You are not going to be saving money by contracting through the Sheriff's Office; their contracted model would have six officers for Camden, on top of what we already pay. You can’t put a price tag on a local police force that knows the ins and outs of this town, or the genuine care that they give.

Unbeknownst to me, there was a mistaken 911 hang-up call from my home years ago via a cell phone, a Camden officer was on my doorstep within minutes and did not leave until he was 110% certain we were safe (thank you Sgt. Butler). They have been described as having “quiet, compassionate strength, they held space for my pain when grief was overwhelming.”

And who was there within minutes when a pedestrian was hit in town, sat on the pavement holding the victims head for well over an hour until they were stable enough for transport? A Camden police officer. Who eats lunch in the cafeteria with local school children? The Camden PD.

Camden Police responded to 7,100 calls within minutes, with the greatest care. I’m sure there are good deputies that work for the Sheriff, but they cannot match the Camden PD’s genuine care for our community. The Sheriff said, “it’s a question of changing people’s mindsets.” There is no question, you will not change mine, and many others, mindsets. The Camden Police Department is an invaluable service in our community; we know that they are going to be there for us, within minutes, no matter who you are, without judgement, anytime you call. Get to the polls in June, back our boys in blue, your vote does matter. Need a ride? I’ll drive you.

Jala Tooley lives in Camden