Another Message From Franklin's Police Chief David Goldstein

Here we are in the midst of uncertainty, confusion and disequilibrium. And yet, at the city level we’re pushing forward every day. As much as Homeland Security and Emergency Management has prepared for such contingencies, this one has no real manual to follow. Every day we discuss issues and exchange information and do our level best to meet the needs of everyone throughout the state

Every Franklin city service is available for those who require assistance. Access has changed for the time being, but the same folks who have met the city’s needs are still hard at work.

It is for these reasons (and others) that I have decided to put fingers to keyboard and first, thank everyone in every city department.

At the same time, since this letter finds it origin in the police department, I would like to specifically acknowledge and thank a group of individuals who are probably best known for their verbal contact with members of the public. I venture to guess that most people who read this could not put a face to a name.

The folks I am referring to are the Franklin Police Department’s Communications Specialists (dispatchers), prosecutor and clerical staff.

I feel comfortable stating that no police department could function without such women and men. Certainly, here in Franklin we could not.

These people are highly trained and educated in their areas of expertise. The overall group is comprised of men and women from all walks of life. We are proud and fortunate to have individuals with prior experience in their fields of endeavor, military veterans, and a bar admitted attorney to mention but a few. They are moms and dads, sisters and brothers, uncles and aunts and sons and daughters.

They report quietly for work, assume their assigned stations and tasks and dive into a world in which there are few rules and fewer adherents to the rules in many cases.

These are the people who respond to your emails, answer your phone calls and stand at the window trying to answer questions and issue yard sale permits…all the while with smiles on their faces.

These people navigate complexities ranging from general human existence to the legal system.

They comfort distraught parents and converse with suicidal individuals.

And, truth be told, they don’t do all of this for the pay. They do it because they enjoy their chosen professions.

When our present situation calms down to a more manageable point, I’d like to invite you, the reader, to poke your head into the police station sometime and just say “hi” and “thank you”. I know I do…every day.

In the meantime, please follow the guidelines established to keep us all healthy and safe, go outside and enjoy the weather, and appreciate everything we do have.

Chief David Goldstein