John Gaccione

03/19/18

Chatter from the folks around headquarters is that our “Kensington Independent” four page full color mailer certainly did the trick. Boy howdy, did it!

While some thought it was too crude, crass and filled with distortions, others balked at its extremely close resemblance to a throwaway supermarket flyer. Beside all that it cost a small fortune to mail for heaven’s sake.

But nevertheless it got the Faithful all fired up for Saturday’s Matrix meeting. Hats off to the crew that threw it together. A few simple crime wave rumors and a dose of scare tactics always seem to get the juices flowing. Our mailers don’t have to dispense the Wisdom of Solomon or be factual to get results.

Several hundred residents turned out for the meeting. Part of the audience seemed to be composed of the 600 Club Faithful and fellow travelers. After the folks from Matrix completed their introductory presentation they asked the residents for input on current services and needs in Kensington.

A great many comments were made about the desire to feel safe in our small hillside community. Many had a true crime story to share. Some residents even wanted to get a “guarantee” that the police will be there for them in an emergency.

At times it felt like a cross between a sports team fan-fest and a testimonial dinner, with nary a negative comment to be heard. A non-believer might have said it seemed coached. The meeting took a few left turns when people’s comments addressed the financial and structural problems facing our police department.

A big “well done” is in order for our two back room information directors who skillfully guided the Faithful’s message during the meeting. The Faithful provided a continuous outpouring of uplifting positive stories about our local Kensington Police from family, neighbors and friends.

One long time resident reminisced about some of KPD’s past chiefs. She liked both Harman and Hart, and wondered aloud why they were fired. She acknowledged we had a few scandals back then. But they were “our” local independent police, and that was the important point.

She summed it up with a question that captured the spirit of so many of the 600 Club Faithful when she asked; why can’t it be the way it used to be? Can I get an amen?

“Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.” (John Kenneth Galbraith)

Keeping K-Town First in Litigation since 2008