To the Editor:
I just read The Lincoln County News online and was shocked to read about the Damariscotta Police Department.
I was recently in the Damariscotta area on vacation with my wife and sons and had the pleasure to meet one of Damariscotta’s police officers. Actually my first reaction was “how much is this going to cost me” as I saw the blue lights in my mirror. I had just pulled out of the local ice-cream parlor when I saw the lights.
The officer came up to my window and asked me for all of my information, which my wife had to find. The officer then proceeded to tell me that I did not have my lights on and that the inspection sticker had ran out on the car. I explained to the officer that it was my father’s car and that we were visiting the area from Florida.
Then it happened; my 4-year-old son pointed at the officer and said “Mom, it’s a cop.”
At this point, I thought for sure I was going to be getting a ticket. The officer looked at my sons and said “hi guys,” waved, and chuckled; I am assuming because my son called him a cop. The officer told me he would be right back and returned to his car. While waiting for the officer my wife explained to my son that you don’t call the police officers cops.
A couple minutes later, the officer returned to the car and I thought for sure I was getting a ticket. The officer told me that he was giving me a warning and explained the lights worked better when they are turned on. The officer then gave both my sons junior police officer stickers, which my 4-year-old insisted on wearing to bed that night.
The officer told me to have my father get the inspection sticker done as soon as he could.
I just wanted to say that both me and my wife were taken back by the level of professionalism and courtesy. As you can imagine, living in Florida, it is a whole different way of life compared to Maine, and I think the Damariscotta officer could show a thing or two about professionalism to police in Florida.
I believe the officer’s name was Alexander but I am not sure. I hope you will take the time to thank him for his kindness that night. The trip to get ice-cream could of been very costly that night, but because of one officer it left an impression on my sons. My 4-year- old summed it up the best “he was a nice police officer mom”.
I am originally from Maine and I urge the citizens of Damariscotta to think twice before deciding to cut their local police department.
John Williamson, Zephyrhills, Fla.
