This is in response to the article on Bring Back Neighborhood Foot Patrols Amboy Guardian 8-27-14 page 1. Well, sounds like a good idea. In fact, at one time the Perth Amboy Police Dept. had foot patrols so-called walking the beat and there were 4 areas that they walked: #1 Smith Street; # 2 Brighton Avenue; # 3 the Waterfront; I think # 4 was open. And they used the call box to check in and a four car area. Now, that was back in the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s. After that, I guess things started to change. I remember a cop used to be always on Smith and State back then. Now here’s the important one – How much is it going to cost to have this walking the beat? Also, some former cops tell me it’s a waste of money and they should target the hard neighborhoods and clean house. In fact, many Mayors in our State had to change their police department’s way of fighting crime by taking their officers out of those desk jobs and hitting the streets. I’m still waiting for the day to come when all hell breaks loose in town then the TAXPAYER’S will cry and scream at the Council Meeting and our Mayor runs out the back door.

Orlando “Wildman” Perez