To the editor:

Back to the Future. It’s past Oct. 21, 2015 and we know the Cubs didn’t win the World Series.

Back to the future, today, and we know that the men and women of the Bainbridge Island Police Department will report to work ready to serve and protect our community.

These officers, and the civilian employees who also work at the police station, will report to a functionally obsolete and dangerous facility at a location which compromises our police department’s commitment to transparency and community involvement.

You may remember, not too long ago, those opposed to replacing the police station claimed their opposition was not based on “cost or location” but rather the need for accountability and transparency. Now their criteria has apparently changed.

When hired, Chief Hamner promised to improve the quality of our officers and create accountable and transparent relationships with our community. Chief Hamner, his officers and staff have fulfilled that promise.

Now the future has arrived and we, as a community, have the opportunity to fulfill our long-standing promise to provide our police department with a facility which enhances rather than impairs their ability to serve and protect, located where it’s needed, in the heart of our community.

The chief and his officers and staff have done their part, now let’s do ours. Please VOTE YES on Prop. 1.

JIM KENNEDY

Bainbridge Island