An invitation from the police chief

(This was originally sent as an open letter to the community.)Dear Editor: On Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m., I will be presenting a work session to the Aspen City Council with City Manager Steve Barwick in City Hall Council Chambers. The subject of the work session will be the drug enforcement policy for the Aspen Police Department. We acknowledge the issue is a divisive one in the community and we welcome open and respectful dialogue. We have prepared a memo to council which was published on Friday, Jan. 13. The memo contains background, discussion points and recommendations City Council will use in part to decide which direction to take with our drug enforcement policy. Council will entertain public comment on the issues before deciding how to proceed. Please come Tuesday and help. If you have a keen interest in the topic we invite you to read the memo before coming to the meeting. It is available online at http://www.aspenpitkin.com/ or a paper copy may be requested from the Aspen Police Department, 506 E. Main St. or the city manager’s office, 130 S. Galena St.Loren Ryersonchief of policeAspen Police Department