Open letter to PACA

Dear editor:

An open letter to Angie Ezekial, president, PACA:

After reading the very disturbing article printed in The Sentinel-Record of a “no-confidence” vote being delivered to the city manager, in conjunction with the retirement of Police Chief Jason Stachey and Assistant Police Chief Walt Everton, and one of the specific reasons given was the closure of the gun range on Park Avenue, I went back and looked at why it was closed. On Feb 6, 2018, the then-city manager reported to the board that he had met with PACA the previous week and subsequent to that meeting in which complaints were aired, he closed the firing range effective immediately.

As this issue was not presented as an agenda item, no discussion was allowed. No one ever heard from the police officers on how this affected them. No options were given. I am making a public appeal to PACA to remove its objection to reopening the firing range, or at a minimum please have an open meeting with the new police chief, when appointed, to listen to the effects it has had. Perhaps a compromise might be reached.

I am sure you understand the expense of paying for memberships for all the officers at a private club is one easy choice for cost savings at this critical time. And the driving time (25 minutes minimum each way) for each officer to do required target practice, taking officers away from much needed time either with their family, or on the streets. Combined with the officers are now sharing space with the public while practicing, surely warrants PACA take another look at the issue?

At this time when society is making sacrifices to protect one another, the inconvenience of a handful of residents, an hour a day just does not measure up to creating ill will in our police force. We may not be able to fix all that is wrong with HSPD, but this would do much to improve their morale. The FOP reached out to the public for understanding and help. This is no longer simply a neighborhood issue, it affects the entire city. The members of PACA should step up and open up to a conversation. Renee Westfall Hot Springs