Dear Editor,
During my career in law enforcement I learned that public safety depends on more than equipment and training. It also depends on elected leaders understanding the realities of the job.
Assemblyman Matt Slater has demonstrated that understanding.
Instead of waiting until there is a crisis, he was proactive when he recently brought together police officers, firefighters and EMS professionals to discuss the challenges facing first responders. Those conversations focused on mental health, support for families and ensuring first responders have the resources they need. Too often these issues are overlooked because they don't generate headlines, yet they affect every community.
I appreciate Assemblyman Slater's consistent support, throughout his career, for local law enforcement and his willingness to advocate for funding and policies that strengthen public safety while recognizing the sacrifices made by those who serve.
Public safety should not be a partisan issue. It requires leaders who listen first and act second. From what I've seen, Matt Slater has earned the trust of many in the first responder community by doing exactly that.
As a retired officer, I believe our community is better served when we have leaders like Matt Slater who remember that supporting those who protect us ultimately means protecting all of us.
-Patricia Byrnes, Yorktown, retired lieutenant, NYPD
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