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Chief Phil Williams

Published: October 20, 2008

In response to the letter by Marlene Barger titled "Grimming is Best" (Oct 18) where she states, "Recently asked city level law enforcement officers how many official meetings they have had in the past four years with the Sheriffs Office, they said zero."

Even when one is staying out of politics related to the sheriff's race, one is inclined to set the record straight and make sure people vote based on true and factual information.

While our meetings haven't been official, I have personally on behalf of Lake Placid Police Department been in several meetings with the sheriff's office and/or the sheriff over the past four years.

To say there have been "zero" meetings between "local law enforcement" and the sheriff's office is inaccurate and misleading.

Hardly a day passes that I and/or other Lake Placid officers are not collaborating with members of the sheriff's office regarding some type of project. The sheriff's office has shared its resources with the Lake Placid Department and the town of Lake Placid in numerous ways.

Lake Placid Police Department has considerably fewer resources but we are on record as sharing with the sheriff's office and many other public safety interests to the best of our budgeted ability.

My first draft of this letter included many resources the sheriff's office has shared with our police department over the past four years but the letter was too long to be published.

I have vowed to stay out of this sheriff's race because both candidates are in my opinion, great law enforcement leaders; however, the public is entitled to make their decision based on accurate information.

Politic, if you must, but expect to see a response from me if an allegation is made regarding local law enforcement that I know for a fact is incorrect from Lake Placid Police Department's perspective.

Chief Phil Williams
Lake Placid Police Department
Lake Placid

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