Senator Hassan Joins Manchester Police Department for Ride-Along

MANCHESTER – In case you missed it, on Friday, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan joined Manchester Police Lieutenant Matthew Barter for a ride-along, her latest check-in with New Hampshire law enforcement on ways to support their critical work. She discussed efforts to help address the opioid crisis and the need to get law enforcement the resources that they need.

See below for coverage exerts from the Manchester Ink Link:

Manchester Ink Link: Hassan joins MPD for firsthand look at policing priorities in Manchester

By Andrew Sylvia

U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Manchester Police Lieutenant Matthew Barter on a police ride-along on Friday afternoon.

[…] In addition to the driving portion of the tour, Barter and Hassan also walked a foot patrol through downtown Manchester and talked with homeless individuals.

Hassan appreciated the opportunity and noted her support for greater funding for mental health and addressing the state’s homelessness crisis as well as her support for increased law enforcement funding. She added that she does not support the “Defund the Police” movement, instead touting bipartisan bills she has sponsored that support increased funding for law enforcement and her support of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was used by the city for increase foot patrols in high crime areas and support investigative overtime for violent crime cases.

“The first job of the government is to keep people safe, so public safety has always been something I’ve prioritized and will continue to do,” she said. “And the best way to do that is to really be in constant contact with our law enforcement leaders and law enforcement front-line personnel to find out what they’re thinking, what they’re encountering and how they are using their experiences to improve public safety.”

Manchester Police Department Chief Allen Aldenberg thanked Hassan for her time, adding that this was not the first time she has joined Manchester police on the beat and welcoming any elected official to join police on patrol as well.

[…] Lt. Barter said he also appreciated Hassan’s visit to Manchester and noted the importance of the ARPA funding not just for increases in foot patrols and overtime, but also funding for the city’s PHAST team and crime prevention through environmental work such as increased lighting and remodeling along South Auburn Street.

“Now we have funds so when we identify a spot where there are issues, we have the funds to do something,” said Barter.

Another issue related intersecting with homelessness noted by Barter and Hassan was drug addiction, with Hassan stating that funding has increased for opioid treatment and recovery as well as her pressure against the Chinese government in their supply of products related to the production of fentanyl by Mexican drug cartels.

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