To the editor:

Close your eyes and picture a safe, functional, first-rate police station. What I see is a facility where victims of crime do not have to walk past a jail cell to get to the interview room, modern equipment and current technology, updated electrical wiring and secure parking.

Now open your eyes and tour the Bainbridge Island police facility like I did last week. Guess what? None of these exist!

The current police station is undersized and outdated for effective, modern law enforcement. Intended as a fire department in 1945, our police building was a temporary fix until the island could invest in a more suitable, accredited facility. That time is now.

With the Nov. 3 bond we not only get a superior police station but also an upgraded courthouse and an emergency operations center for the island. The threefold facility will be sized appropriately to accommodate its new multipurpose functions.

We voted recently for a similar investment in our fire department facilities. Like our great fire department staff, our dedicated police and court staff deserve the same.

Why handcuff our police department to a building that is defunct and dangerous, and in a location that could be oh so much more for the community? Why handcuff Chief Hamner, who has made such strides in connecting the community for a strong future? Chief Hamner has instituted best practices and revitalized the police/community alliance on the island. Now he needs a facility that will support his efforts to continue to strive for the excellence we all want.

The proposed location makes sense.

First, it would be a mistake to position all of our disaster first responders (police and fire) together in one place. Second, by housing the police and court building (and EOC) next to city hall we build operational efficiencies and improve access. That saves us all money. Finally, by locating the police and court building in the heart of our island where 50 percent of our future growth will occur, we are assuring long-term connectedness with the community.

Now close your eyes again and just imagine what could be at the old police building location!

MARINA WILDSMITH

Bainbridge Island