NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Editor,

I have received quite a lot of feedback from the citizens in the Gravette/ Hiwasse area during the last couple of weeks regarding the new increased police presence in Hiwasse. The majority of the comments have been very positive in nature. However, as can be expected, there have been a few negative comments.

I wish to assure anybody who might have concerns that my policy as the Police Chief of Gravette for the last 21 yearshas not changed. With the full support of the mayor and city council, the police department’s mission has always been, and will continue to be, to strive to provide professional public safety services to all the citizens we have sworn to protect and serve.

We believe that all our new citizens and businesses in the Hiwasse area deserve the same level of service as those in the Gravette area, and our goal is to provide it in a professional and ethical manner while alwaysdemonstrating honesty, compassion and fairness.

I would like it to be noted that Gravette Police officers routinely issue far more traffic warnings than traffic citations because we are also opposed to so-called speed traps.

I have an open-door policy with regard to the concerns of all our citizens and business leaders. We are here for you. I can also be reached at tmorrison@cityofgravette-ar.gov.

Chief Trent Morrison Gravette Police Department

Opinion, Pages 6 on 06/27/2012