Hails Cops, Immigrants
To The Editor:

As usual, I am taking this opportunity to share my opinions and comments regarding several positive and negative news items that I have heard on the TV and radio broadcasts media and have read in the pages of the February 21 issue of the Gazette and am eager to share with you.

I am an advocate for the conference regarding the NYPD. Of course, they are New York's Finest and we owe a great deal to them for their bravery and protection. However, there is always room for improvement and learning and I truly support the training programs that will help the NYPD cope with issues of these changing times. I suggest more sensitivity training towards handling situations with minority groups, new immigrants with language barriers and handling of mentally deranged people. In addition, the salaries for newly appointed NYPD officers are too low and not an incentive for applying and we do not want new, young, fresh faces to land elsewhere where the starting salary is high. To obtain the best, the salaries must be commensurate with the times.

I also applaud Helen Marshall's report stating that our borough has achieved growth in starting businesses and immigrants are the key catalyst and I am proud of these new immigrants who have the zeal, energy, enthusiasm and courage to start anew and lead to the economic growth of our borough and city. In addition, I must applaud the winner of the award from the Queens Blvd. Extended Care Center and congratulate him for being a talented inspiration to all.

This positive news makes me glow with pride.

Lastly, I agree with the increase in fines for the pooper scooper law. It is the responsibility of pet owners to clean up after their dog and it is healthier and creates a safer environment for all. This is a positive step. From Cynthia Groopman Long Island City