Earlier this year, our community-based chapter of an international and nonpartisan climate education organization found itself without a place for our members to meet.

We have no budget, and we rely on volunteers to carry out our mission. We are seeking to help our community, state and nation to develop, understand and implement the most effective policies to halt climate change. And, we want to ensure that we all benefit from a new clean energy economy.

Fortunately, we learned that the investment made in our police station included a community meeting room, available when it’s not used for official police business. It is a welcoming and well-equipped space that is centrally located. We at Citizens Climate Education are extremely grateful to Northanpton Police Chief Jody D. Kasper and her staff for making this space available to us every month. Community policing can have many forms, and this is surely one.

Jay Kilbourn

Northampton