Our deep ties should be a source of pride, not ridicule

Dear Editor:

As we conclude the holiday season, a time where people are supposed to be the best versions of themselves, and act as the kind of people we wish we were all year, I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the lack of civility and decency we have shown each other in the weeks following the Special Town Meeting.

I will not attempt to convince or persuade others who hold contrary beliefs than myself to agree to my position; that time has come and gone. With the same spirit, I likewise still respect other people’s right to an opinion. What I do not respect, understand or accept is the incessant badgering of the Canton Police force and Chief Rafferty on Facebook, especially on the CPD Facebook page. Every post, no matter how good its intention or how important the information that is being relayed, is met with snarky, outlandish responses. It is easy to dismiss this by saying that it’s mostly out of towners or only done by a few people, but the truth is that bashing the police on this platform is done solely for entertainment by many who are Canton residents.

We should take a minute and recognize what class Chief Rafferty has exhibited in handling herself despite being embattled with constant personal attacks. It’s absurd in a way — rather than celebrating a person who rose through the ranks of an entire police department to become the first woman police chief in the history of the town of Canton, and who is universally liked and respected by her department, someone would opt for cheap attempts at her expense because they know the Police Department will not defend themselves.

When did we stop seeing the police as human beings rather than targets of every possible rude comment? These men and women who comprise the Canton Police Department are a vital part of our community. Many are our neighbors, or friends, or volunteer as youth sports coaches, or even were our classmates growing up. Maybe you moved to Canton and one of these people, a stranger to you, was there for you in your time of need. You’ll remember that person for the rest of your life fondly.

It is these deep ties to the town of Canton that give us a sense of community, which should be praised, rather than torn apart and questioned. It makes Canton the kind of town people want to stay in and watch their own children grow up together, perhaps for generations. No matter what the detractors may say, if you truly love where you live, you’ll get absorbed into that community and want the same way of life for your children. There’s nothing wrong with that and it will be this sense of community that will one day save Canton and allow us to move past the events of the past two years and become whole again.

Nicholas Corkery

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