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DeShotel: A vote for public safety, first responders

Voting ‘yes’ for bond questions 1, 2 and 3

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Scottsdale’s first responders put their lives on the line every day for our community.

I see it every day serving with the Scottsdale Police Department the past four years and throughout my law enforcement career.

Now, it is the community’s turn to invest in our police officers, firefighters and paramedics who help make Scottsdale a safe and vibrant community.

Voting yes on questions 1, 2 and 3 will help our first responders do our jobs better and respond faster and more efficiently and effectively to the community that can save lives in situations where seconds count.

I have seen the difference just a few seconds can make during my seven years in law enforcement both in Scottsdale and while serving on the police force at Northern Arizona University.

That is why the Scottsdale Fraternal Order of Police (which is part of the largest law enforcement labor organization in the country) strongly supports all three bond measures on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association and Police Officers of Scottsdale Association have also enthusiastically endorsed questions 1, 2 and 3.

All 58 projects in the $319 million program can be viewed here.

That includes renovating the Via Linda and Foothills District Police Stations, modernizing the Scottsdale City Jail, installing bulletproof glass in police stations, upgrades to our 9-1-1 system and better training facilities for first responders.

Other cities in the Valley have already taken measures to protect their employees and have installed bulletproof glass at their stations. Scottsdale shouldn’t be any different and do the same.

The bond program before voters will also lift the quality of life for our Scottsdale seniors through the expansions of the Granite Reef and Via Linda Senior Centers. The bond will also help families who use the Paiute Neighborhood Center in the southern part of the city for critical family and community services.

Scottsdale voters have not approved a major bond program in 19 years leaving our city with infrastructure and facilities that need repair and upgrades.

Public safety and technology have continuously changed since 2000. Many of the projects in questions 1, 2 and 3 will help Scottsdale stay modern and safe.

Many of those same projects will not get done at all without voters approving all three measures on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Scottsdale’s first responders rush into danger, save lives and protect property. Our first responders put the community in front of their own safety every day.

We do that because we care about the community we protect and serve.

Now it’s the community’s chance to invest in our first responders and public safety by voting yes on questions 1, 2 and 3.

Editor’s Note: Keegan DeShotel is president of the Scottsdale Fraternal Order of Police.