Police Officers participating in the Torch Run in 2017 in Perth Amboy *File Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

In the last couple of months, members of the police department have come to the council meeting to air their frustrations at not having their contract ratified. During those meetings, they’ve had to hear about raises giving to certain employees in the city of Perth Amboy. 

Police at Career Day at Wilentz School May 2017 *File Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

I can understand the frustrations of those police officers, especially when they have to go out everyday with the chance of being insulted, spat upon, and other things that I cannot mention. 

In spite of their low pay, because of their love of their job and the city, they continue doing their work. 

Often when an emergency occurs such as a fire, the police will respond before the fire department shows up. If they see smoke coming out of an occupied building, and they are able to go in, they will do so to help  any occupants out.

Let’s not forget what was said at some of the meetings of those who overdose and they have to administer Narcon. The police are often involved in community events such as when they go to visit various schools and often partake in community basketball games or the “Cops vs. Pops” pool tournament at the Olive Street Community Center.

Sometimes these police officers have to take minors into protective custody when they respond to a domestic violence situation.

Police officers are human, like anybody else, but even when they are off duty, they are on duty. When they see someone in trouble, instinctively their training steps in to try to help.

Sometimes a resident will come up and say why we are paying for certain services when we are not getting anything in return? With the police, you are getting more than your money’s worth. 

Unfortunately, sometimes their hands are tied, especially with the new bail bonds reform, which has dangerous and repeat offenders released.

They have families like anyone else, and I know it’s a hard decision for many of them when they are forced to leave the city they grew up in and wanted to serve in.

We know that a lot of people have left Perth Amboy because of taxes going up, but sometimes that is not the only factor.  I’ve seen plenty of residents come up at council meetings to complain about the quality of life in Perth Amboy. Some of these complaints are overcrowding, loud music (sometimes with profanity ridden songs), litter, the conditions of roads, and dark streets at night

All we know are that all these closed sessions, negotiations, arbitrations, litigations, and mediations seem to be going nowhere fast. In the meantime, Perth Amboy is losing its police officers to other towns.

I know the council is trying to best and have to look at entire city as a whole. Now, the council (when they take over the responsibility of PARA) will have additional responsibilities on their plate. They will have to look at developers whose plans and contracts were already approved.

We also believe that all of these lawsuits between the mayor and the council needs to stop. It’s not doing anything to help the city. It’s just wasting the taxpayers money. 

The police officers want their contract signed and the council should concentrate on coming to an agreement with the PBA.

We need to get Perth Amboy back on track and focus what’s on what’s important. Stop looking at Facebook posts from 2 years ago and let bygones be bygones.

Remember the Police not only help the residents in Perth Amboy, but also our surrounding towns. They participate in the Police Unity Tour that ends in Washington D.C. It raises awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to raise funds for the national fallen officers memorial. They volunteered to go to Puerto Rico to help the victims of recent hurricanes and earthquakes. There are so many events they participate in, sometimes on their own time. Too many to list.

The bottom line is give the police the money and respect they deserve. I’m sure a lot of the taxpayers would agree that this would be money well spent.

C.M. & K.M.