To the Editor:
Towns throughout Western Massachusetts are very aggressive, run speed traps, hide and pull drivers over. Many towns make a lot of money writing tickets and catching impaired drivers. Sheffield has one of the more aggressive police departments and it is common to see the blue lights flashing on the side of a road, especially Route 7.
What happened with Officer Bartini and his passenger is law enforcement gone wrong and laws enforced selectively. This should never happen. The timing really stinks. Just four months earlier a huge, well-attended funeral was held for Officer Storti, who died in an accident after leaving a bar under the influence of alcohol. It makes people wonder how many other officers are allowed to get rides after being stopped while under the influence.
All the towns that share this “professional courtesy” need to stop it right now. Authorities need to investigate this case like any other O.U.I. case, find out where Officer Bartini and his passenger were last served and more importantly make sure all of our well-paid and compensated police officers do not have substance abuse problems and educate them if necessary. Remember, police officers carry loaded firearms and have to make split second decisions during their shifts.
Our safety and lives depend on reliable men and women in uniform. Town voters have always been generous to our police departments. They owe us good, fair, honest and equal treatment. Nothing less is acceptable.
Patrick Fennell
Great Barrington
