Current Station Is Not Built To Accomodate 2018 Challenges

A Letter to the Editor from Wakefield Town Council member Tony Longo:

On May 8, I had the opportunity to tour the WPD portion of the Public Safety Building, then participate on a ride along with one of Wakefield's finest. I got to see firsthand the building's inadequacies, which are well documented and should be addressed to ensure the continued safety of our residents. This visit and ride along had been scheduled long before the petition had been filed, so this was all about understanding the WPD. The other part of my visit included a ride along with my long time friend Officer David Morales, whom I have known since elementary school. Truth be told, David, myself and our spouses all graduated WHS together. More importantly, he is a 30-year veteran of the force. I have heard from Chief Smith many times and how police work has changed, but I wanted to hear it from my friend.

I sat through and listened to the evening briefing with the other Officers working that night. Lieutenant Skory was the Command Officer and Sergeant Flynn was the Officer in Charge. So doning a bullet proof vest, David and I checked the interior and exterior of the cruiser, checking for any damage and ensuring all was in working order. We were quickly called to a domestic disturbance on Route 128, where a man, was walking along the highway after his girlfriend dropped off. The man was a slightly agitaged and may have had libation or two. I watched as WPD quickly deescalate situation until the State Police came and escort the man away. Back at the Station, there was a homeless person who came in two use the bathroom. Officier Morales offered the man some water & a candy bar. The man was very grateful and quickly went on his way.

Dave and I discussed many things that night, the Town, our families, but mostly we talked about how Police work has changed over the past 30 years. From technology to tactics to the types of calls they are answering to these days. Mental health/family disturbances calls were a rarity 30 years ago, now they are a daily occurance for WPD, and the current station is not built to accomodate those.

It is important to note:

• Taxes will not go up because of this renovation
• The lobby area will be staffed after hours
• Town Meeting, Finance Committee and the Town Council all approved of this project.

· Wakefield and it’s residents will be safer

No one is denying that mistakes were made almost 20 years ago when the project first started, but there are safe guards in place so that mistakes will not be repeated. As I was leaving the Station, a call came in, a resident wanted to come in and discuss her husband’s drug abuse problems. Just another night at Wakefield Police Department.

Please join me in supporting the needed renovations to the Wakefield Public Safety Building on June 26 by voting “Yes”.

Thank you,
Tony Longo
Vice Chairman
Wakefield Town Council