I recently read, “Are we safer?” on Sept. 9.

Many police and fire departments bought basic things like flashlights and radios, but that is it. What if a chemical was dripping from the ceiling in a burning building, and all you had was flashlight and a radio, and the chemical was dripping on you?

You could move, but what happens to the chemicals on you? Some cities have bought protecting helmets and protective gear, but what about the towns that just have bio-hazard bags? Fire and police departments need more than just flashlights and radios.

The Pentagon was hit by a plane five years ago, a building supposed to be a symbol of protection. I don’t think Maine is safe, even if we have a bomb-disabling robot, because a terrorist can still come in a plane or helicopter and blow up a school or special building.

Police and firemen can’t stop a plane from smashing into something, or blow it up with a robot. If it was by surprise, they wouldn’t be able to stop it just like the Twin Towers.

I don’t have a solution – I don’t think any of us do – but we can try to be aware problems still exist. We have started a fund for a bomb squad in Portland, which is good, and we have robots, so we have some things to protect us.

Tell me this: do you really think that Maine is safer than before?

Jessica Casey