To the Editor:

Late Sunday evening on December 28, I had an accident in my home and needed assistance.

I am a wheelchair user, and my wife was not strong enough to provide help. We had no alternative, but to call the Potsdam Village Police.

Officers Daniels and Benson responded within 5 minutes and immediately provided the necessary assistance. They were extremely professional, courteous and understanding.

I want to publicly thank them and our a Police Department for their usual outstanding service, service that many of us in the village have taken for granted and think little about, except as a cost in the Potsdam village budget.

The most valuable Village services we residents pay for are our exceptional police and fire protection. Since 1986, the Potsdam Village Police have assisted us, our neighbors and village friends at the time of accidents, emergencies, bad student behavior, crime, incidents of unsafe driving, crowd control at village events like Summerfest and more.

Quite simply, they help keep us safe. They make me proud we can walk our around our village, conduct our business, play and be safe in our homes - all without fear or danger. This is one of the primary reasons we live in the Village of Potsdam.

We thank the village police for their continued exemplary service to our beloved Village of Potsdam. We will stand in opposition to anyone who would do away with their essential service.

John and Christine Lancaster

Potsdam