Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Let me first start off this letter with a definition.

Irony: “A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often times amusing as a result…” – New Oxford American Dictionary.

I also feel it necessary to paint a picture of the last year; specifically drawing attention to the Somerville Police Department budget zoom meeting(s) in June. Somerville City Council outlined in a nearly 6 hour long meeting, the need for defunding of the police, civilian review boards, etc.

During this meeting, the police department had to fight tooth and nail to not have 60% of it’s budget cut; proposed by none-other than the Ward 2 Councilmen. With ZERO plan with what to do with the money, and ZERO studies on the impact it would have on the department, 1.4 MILLION dollars was cut from the budget. This, mind you, purely out of spite and a hate for law enforcement.

Cut to right now, over 6 months later. With the growing tensions surrounding the upcoming inauguration, and the event that transpired at the capital, the very same elected officials whom screamed defund the police, are now demanding police patrol their own homes. Over the summer, they didn’t want “armed individuals” handling calls for service but instead, rely on individuals such as social workers. Police officers have been advised to conduct rolling patrols of most of the Somerville City Councilors’ homes; this includes the mayor himself. Huh, so when it’s convenient for them or benefits them, they want the police. I can almost guarantee that once this is over, these “politicians” will go right back to calling on defunding the Somerville Police Department. So what is it, do you want police or do you not want police? Seems like the very people you call when you think there is danger are, in fact, the police. I’m not 100% sure, but I doubt that there will be social workers and unarmed security guards outside of these homes no no, it will be the same people you wanted to fire. I’m however 100% sure that these fine men and woman, despite what you have done and threaten to do to them, will uphold their oaths and patrol your homes. No news agencies care to report on this kind of moral abuse of power as it does not fit the narrative. However, the constituents have a right to know how those in power operate, as to make informed decisions come elections.

Time for change in Somerville’s leadership! Remember in November! I’m voting for #TEAMTAUROforMAYOR2021

Informed Resident