To the Editor:

I just wanted to take a moment to thank the Northampton Borough Police Department. Two officers went out of their way to help us with our son.

Our 4-year-old son Lincoln has autism, and suddenly, he has become extremely frightened of police. (We are unsure if perhaps a siren startled him.)

We have had an awful week of being sleep deprived because of this new-found fear. Officer Dennis Smith helped coordinate to have Officer Ryan Konetsky stop by our home.

He pulled up in the cruiser to say hello and chat with Lincoln. He let Lincoln know that police are friends and that they are there if he needs help.

Officer Konetsky even brought Lincoln a few gifts from the D.A.R.E. program.

Our son was so excited and actually happy!

He has been playing police and imitating sirens all day. The officer was even able to turn on his lights on and siren for a brief second to show Lincoln it is OK.

We are completely floored by this kind gesture.

We need our children to know that police and safety personnel are there to help.

Thank you again to the Northampton Borough Police Department for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Sonya Mora

Northampton