by Bea Peterson
Late Sunday afternoon Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe and Officer Harold McClellan spent an hour at the Wood Park meeting room talking with more than two dozen residents of the Woodbridge Heights and Wood Park apartments. The Chief reminded them, “We’re not here just to catch the bad guys, we’re here as a service to you.” He told the gathering, “Don’t think you’re bothering us. If you see something is wrong or you have a concern, call 911. They’re trained and they will get you the help you need.”
[private]He cautioned the residents not to let someone they do not know into the buildings. If they hear a commotion outside their door, the safest thing to do is leave the door closed and call 911. “Never hesitate to call and say ‘check this out for me,'” the Chief said.
Reflecting other concerns, he advised them, “If someone calls you on the phone and you don’t know them, you don’t need to talk to them,” he said. Just hang up. He advised them to be cautious about the information they put on their computers. He also said they should be cautious about what they do with the receipts they receive when using an ATM machine or visiting the bank.
The Department
The Chief said the Hoosick Falls Police Department has two full time police officers and 15 part time, though only two part time are on duty on any shift. Officer McClellan said he is impressed with all the new officers. “They’re bright, young, intelligent and investigative.” He added that they are all trained as first responders. Two officers are paramedics, and all are trained in CPR. The cruisers are already equipped with defibrillators and will soon have oxygen supplies. Often the Police are the first on the scene and can assist in a situation until the ambulance arrives.
The residents were pleased to meet the officers, and they look forward to meeting with them again in late March.[/private]