As a new resident of Kirkland I’ve noticed with interest the enhanced patrolling of Kirkland officers in the annexation area.

Let me first state that yes I’m a police officer with 25 years of service and no I’m not with the Kirkland Police Department.

I’ve seen the letters in the Reporter over the last few weeks concerned about the increased police presence and to be frank I’m a little shocked. These officers are doing what I would expect, learning a new area, and how to respond to the neighborhoods within it.

We all know the King County Sheriff’s Office has had budget cuts for several years that reduced general patrolling in most of the county and we got used to it. So I’m pleased when I see a police car rolling by trying to prevent crime in my community verses simply responding to incidents as they occur.

William J. Archer, Kirkland