Editor,

I’m writing in response to a letter penned by Sharon Emerson, published Sept. 12 in the South Whidbey Record regarding Seawall Park.

For starters, conversation about Seawall Park was certainly on the agenda for the city council meeting on Oct 3. I was there, in support of the closing of Seawall Park from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., allowing police to lawfully approach and question people in the park after hours in light of used needles being found down there over the past few months. I also understood that the closure was temporary.

Sharon mentioned “irrational fears” in her letter. Here are a few rational ones:

1. Someone will be injured by a needle (I won’t let you say they aren’t being found- they definitely still are, and it’s not just the LPD that’s finding them)

2. Illegal encampments under First Street will cause serious property damage, or a fire

3. Needles and illegal encampments in a prominent park will negatively effect tourism, our community’s lifeblood

4. Someone using in the park will get hurt or die from an overdose.

What really chaps my behind about this whole thing is the inherent lack of trust in police. Bringing up Chief Marks’ personal Facebook page? Really? I happen to personally support Kaepernick’s kneeling, but that was a cheap shot. I understand that the chief asked to alter the hours of the park to do better community policing. While I clearly disagree with Marks on some politics I trust that he has the entire community’s best interests at heart. The police are our first line of defense, a link to much-needed resources for addicts and the homeless.

“Police power grab” is laughable. Even the briefest conversation with Marks reveals a department that wants to preserve the sense of safety and community Ms. Emerson seems to take for granted.

The Music Man analogy is an apt one, but I think Sharon Emerson is the Harold Hill, using non-truths and suggestive language to get the town into thinking a couple measly needles could never be or become a crisis, that the real crisis is a police state forming right under our noses.

I will not sit back and let you say whatever you want. Shame on you for putting your head in the sand on a ballooning public health crisis so you can enjoy your midnight strolls at the expense of our community’s most vulnerable.

MATTHEW GREGORY

Langley