To Chief Anthony Holloway:

I am writing this letter to commend and recognize the Somerville Police Department.

On May 1st, I called 911 because someone had broken into my apartment.

Having just moved to the city of Somerville five days prior to the incident, I was unsure as to how the Somerville police would respond. Within 1 minute after the intruder had left my house, Officer F. Cicerone (badge #279) and Officer R. Isaacs (badge #288) had arrived to the scene.

As a victim, I felt extremely violated and was paranoid that there was still somebody in my house. The officers were tremendously comforting and reassuring. They did a thorough walk through of my apartment ensuring both my boyfriends and my safety. They called other officers onto the scene and within 1 hour, they had found and arrested the intruder.

Since the break in, I have continued to feel paranoid and threatened. I have considered the idea of moving out of East Somerville, but my mind had been changed having meeting several officers from the Somerville Police Department.

On Tuesday May 5th, just days following the incident, I was walking to my apartment from Sullivan Square station and felt anxious and upset about the incident I stopped by the East Somerville Substation and met Captain Michael Devereaux. He stopped what he was doing to sit down and talk with me. I talked to him about how I was feeling scared and thinking a lot about the man who broke into my house. I shared with him that I just moved to East Somerville and I am considering the idea of moving to another city because I was concerned for my safety. He discussed safety precautions with me and ensured me that East Somerville is not a bad area to live in. Not only did Captain Michael Devereaux take time to talk tome, he walked me back to my apartment and made sure I felt safe entering. He invited me to the East Somerville main Streets

"First Tuesdays." Which I attended. I was extremely impressed with the presence of the Somerville Police Department. Captain Michael Devereaux introduced me to neighborhood police officers and other officers that attended the Meet Up. I cannot think of many neighborhoods where the Police captain would take opportunity to attend a neighborhood get together like he did.

In addition, I called the Somerville Police Department a few days after the incident and asked for additional patrol on my street. Not only did Officer Legros (Unsure of his badge number) come and patrol my street, he spent time talking to me about my concerns and listening to my worries. I was able to go back into my house that night and get a restful night's sleep knowing that I have trusted police officers in my neighborhood.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate how impressed I am with the Somerville Police Department. Despite the unfortunate event and break in, I want to commend and recognize the Somerville Police Department as a whole and specifically; officers Cicerone, Isaacs, Legros and Captain Michael Deveraux. Never before have had I felt a part of a community of a city that I lived in. In the past few weeks, I have seen immediate response, concern and compassion, hard work and dedication, but most of all, I have met Police Officers from Somerville Police Department who truly care.