To the Editor:
As president of Hopewell Borough’s Board of Health, I wish to commend the Borough Council’s decision to designate our town as a “Sanctuary City.” This non-binding resolution establishes what I already know Hopewell to be: a welcoming community to all regardless of immigration status. It also reinforces the notion that the best way to protect our community and promote public safety is to encourage crime victims to come forward, not to threaten them with deportation.
Experiences of well-established “Sanctuary Cities” show that a cooperative relationship between law enforcement and immigrant communities enhances public safety and reduces crime. I know this to already be true here in Hopewell. As Mayor Anzano stated, this resolution “put[s] a stake in the ground and affirm[s] the existing practices of local law enforcement.”
Hopewell neighbors may have different opinions about our country’s immigration policies, but I believe we can agree that it is healthier for our Borough if we — all of us — feel safe seeking help or reporting a crime. I am proud to support this resolution.
Sheila Reynertson
Hopewell, NJ
