Editor:



Over the last few weeks our police officers have responded to a number
of troubling new emergencies: a full-scale evacuation of Shaw’s at
Millcreek and an exchange of gunfire while serving a warrant on a
dangerous fugitive. One of our officers was shot four times in this
last incident. Fortunately, he survived his wounds and is now
recovering. You and I are now being asked by these same officers to
respond to a growing emergency in their department: Only four patrol
cars police our streets at any given time of the day-four officers
covering 12 square miles, seven days a week-and we need more. Our
officers are telling us that they are overworked and-more troubling-the
nature of the incidents they respond to is changing for the worse. We
are being asked to fund five more full-time officers.



What is more, I recently attended a meeting at Mahoney Middle School
where 100 concerned parents pleaded for the return of a School Resource
Officer-a position cut during a budget process that failed to
adequately fund our school system. Our sworn officers are calling for
our help. Our parents are begging for safer learning environments. Will
you help answer that cry for help? I will.



My name is Jim Soule, and I’m running for City Council in District
Three. I promise to give our police the tools they need to protect our
kids on the street and in the classroom. I ask you for your vote so
that, together, we can respond to the men and women who put their lives
on the line for us everyday-and the teachers who we entrust with the
safety and welfare of our children.



Jim Soule

Candidate

South Portland City Council