Rafael Román Martel

I have close family and friends who have been robbed in broad daylight due to the lack of police surveillance within the town.

I have heard different from a myriad of people who have been violated and made to feel unsafe even when they are just trying to enjoy a nice walk around the town at night.

I decided to go to the meeting to get some direct answers to satisfy my disappointment from Monday night and my mounting concern for my family, my friends and my own safety.

Sadly after hearing time and time again how it is necessary for the cut back to occur in order to save some money, to bring down the cost of insurance and how it might be the best solution for the town, I had enough. I was so hurt to hear everyone’s story, complaints, pain and mostly everyone strong disappointment in the town leadership that it was only a matter of time before I stood up to speak not only for my on frustrations and disappointments but for those who feared saying anything at all.

Finally, after the heartbreaking stories from the young man who aspired to be a WNY Police Officer and now sees his dreams shattered; the young lady who is disappointed by her old principal asking why did he let and her generation down; the US Armed Forces Veteran who feels ignored and whose home has been violated for speaking out his beliefs; the Older gentlemen who has lived in this neighborhood over 83 years and for the first time is highly upset and feels unsafe in native home; the Officers who spoke up for the War Hero whose welcome home was a pink slip without so much as a standing recognition from the commissioners especially the Vietnam Veteran; the utter lack of respect on the commissioners part when speaking about professionalism yet asked an officer of the law to “Shut Off”.

Amongst all these things, time and time again the questions posed to Mayor Vega where barely answered or passed over with a simple “Next question”.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I burst out of order as I was told but I needed to say what everyone was thinking, where is the care for the human element within this entire situation?

Why is everyone?s heart felt questions being ignored, denied, unanswered or even given the proper recognition that a human being can give one another to show some kind of understanding and synergy to the pain of the people.

Are we not the reasons why these representatives of our town are where they are today?

I stood up there with my heart in my throat and just wanted a sign, a sign of hope, a sign of relief, a sign of understanding and resolution but nothing came.

Blank faces and stares is what answered my questions about Monday’s fiasco at Memorial’s HS Graduations. Blank faces answered my plea to please rethink and analyze for the people the damage it will be if we lose anymore police officers and again with all the respect I could muster at that moment, I thank them for listening and sat down and cried.

I have had the privileged to be raised in away where everyone has a story that matters and makes them unique, special but above all things, to believe in the human spirit and connection.

I feel as a town, as a people there is something much bigger than ourselves worth fighting for here and now.