To the Editor:
The temperatures have been brutal, yet Hull police officers are required to stand for hours in the sweltering sun at the corner of Nantasket Avenue and Phipps Street directing traffic, only because people are too rude to let a car out as a line of vehicles waits to turn onto the main road after spending the day (and their money for parking, ice cream, cold drinks, lunch) at our beach – revenue that we need and appreciate. I cannot tell you how many times someone behind me has sat on the horn as I’ve waved someone out at that intersection.
FACTS:
- Black fabric is the ultimate heat absorber and is the hottest possible color for police uniforms
- While in uniform, a police officer’s gear weighs more than 20 pounds.
- Heat exhaustion can cause dizziness, weakness, and headache to name a few, yet while acting as “traffic director” our police force is still required to jump into action should an emergency arise during their post.
- Hull police officers have completed an 800-hour curriculum with hands-on training to handle medical emergencies, violence, domestic abuse, drug- and alcohol-related crimes, finding lost children yet are required to perform the duties of a school crossing guard in unrelenting heat.
SOLUTIONS:
- Install two stop signs on Nantasket Avenue at the intersection of Phipps, making this a three-way stop during summer months.
- Hire a crossing guard (approximately $14/hour) for summer weekends.
- Let a car out. (This needs to be pointed out.)
Advise me how we can resolve this issue, and I will research it and support it.
Jennifer Slater
