Public Safety and Our Community

It would be an understatement to say that we are living in interesting times, and things are not normal out there. A visit to the grocery or drug store illustrates panic buying as worried consumers stock up. Every check of the inbox brings emails from the state and various organizations with COVID-19 updates. Social distancing is a new concept, and we should be all practicing that.

Lives will continue to change in the near term, but life must also go on. During this difficult time, our Police, Fire, EMS and emergency management departments will always be ready to respond to emergencies and crisis.

Social distancing can affect the health of the elderly, isolating them when they may be most in need of assistance. Now is the time to reach out to family, friends or neighbors who may be vulnerable, even if face-to-face contact is not advisable.

With that in mind, start with patience, kindness and understanding. Be resourceful. Look for opportunities to do something kind. This is a time where we may go back to the old-fashioned ways of communication. This means making telephone calls more frequently.

There are delivery services for things like flowers and groceries, just to say I’m thinking of you. Don’t forget about mail. These days we forget that a handwritten card, a letter sent to your loved one, might give us a result.

This is our shared sense of community, helping our families, neighbors, and businesses as we all navigate this difficult time. Compassion and kindness go a long way everyday. This is an opportunity to come together for the common good.

Chief Ronald Landry