Manchester Mayor Michael Fressola offers his response to a Manchester Patch reader who left a comment on a March 16 article entitled "Lakehurst Police Make Two Drug Arrests During Traffic Stops."

A comment to this article was posted on your website by an individual who calls himself "Billamerica," in which he praises the Lakehurst Police Department, which I have no fault with. 

But then he goes on to say, “They seem to be making more and more arrests for drugs then some of these other police departments such as one in particular. I see several of their cars throughout the day parked at 'Luigis,' or 'Italy's Best,' or 'Three B’s' in Lakehurst and the side of the car always says 'Manchester Police.' They do a good job too..at protecting Lakehurst restaurants.” 

This attack by "Billamerica" on our Manchester Police Department is a disgrace.  The Manchester Police Department is not only one of the most active, but one of the best in the state. 

Allow me to outline why I say “one of the most active." The following are just some of the statistics for the month of February, 2012, showing activity of our police department: 

Calls for Service: 4,766
Criminal Arrest Adult: 68
Criminal Arrest Charges: 143
DWI Arrest: 9
Juvenile Arrest: 2
Juvenile Arrest Charges: 2
Field Interviews: 2
Motor Vehicle Stops/Contacts: 1,142
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 63
Towed Vehicles: 11
Summonses: 591
First Aid Calls: 578*
Fire Calls: 57*
(*Motor vehicle accidents are not captured in this figure)

Does Billamerica see our Manchester Police Department having breakfast, lunch or dinner during a 10-hour tour of duty?

Submitted by Manchester Mayor Michael Fressola