01/31/2026
sharing this letter posted by a Town of Bethlehem Resident.
*************************
Open letter to the residents of Bethlehem, NY
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE TOWN THAT EMPLOYED ME
To the residents, officials, and employees of the Town of Bethlehem:
More than eighteen months have passed since the incident that set these events in motion, and more than a year has passed since the court’s decision that followed. During that time, I have remained largely silent—not out of fear, but out of respect for process, accuracy, and the seriousness of what occurred.
I am writing now because the record is complete.
The matter that began this process was not criminal in nature, and it never became one. No one else was injured. No property was damaged beyond my own vehicle. I was the only person harmed, and I have never minimized my responsibility to address that incident honestly and fully.
What followed, however, went far beyond what the facts supported.
Through sworn testimony, disclosures made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law, and a full investigation by the New York State Police, it has since been established that criminal charges were declined and that key representations made during this process were inaccurate. Despite that determination, the consequences imposed on me were not revisited, corrected, or remedied.
As of today—more than a year after the court’s decision—lawfully owned fi****ms belonging to me and to my family remain withheld. No criminal conviction exists. No pending charges exist. Yet no explanation, resolution, or accountability has been offered.
I spent decades serving this town and its residents. I understand the authority entrusted to public officials, and I understand how critical it is that such authority be exercised without personal bias. That understanding is informed not only by my career, but by a decision I made in 2013, when I disclosed misconduct within the department because it was the right thing to do.
Whether that disclosure is related to what followed years later is not for me to declare as fact. It is, however, part of the historical record, and it would be irresponsible to pretend it does not exist.
A Factual Account of the Incident
For the sake of accuracy, and because this letter will be read to disclose my story, I am providing a clear and complete account of what occurred on the day of the accident.
After the crash, I exited my vehicle on my own and immediately confirmed that no other individuals were involved or injured. No one came running. No assistance arrived in those initial moments. I was alone.
Despite being injured, my first concern was ensuring that my actions did not violate any laws or worsen the situation. I assessed the scene, secured myself as best I could, and acted deliberately and responsibly.
The most obvious injury was an open fracture to my right hand. Additional injuries were suspected. Acting on adrenaline and training, I called 911 and remained on the line. I described each step I took to the operator—my condition, my movements, and my intent—while making my way approximately 200 yards to my home and to my neighbor, an AMCH physician.
Dr. Ashley Adamo began treating me within approximately five minutes of the accident. A full six minutes more passed before all responding units at the scene were advised by another neighbor of my location. At no point did I evade, conceal, or misrepresent my actions or condition. I was honest, cooperative, and transparent from the first moments after the crash.
It was those very actions—my cooperation, my disclosures, and my attempt to do everything correctly—that were later taken out of context and used against me more than a month later.
Purpose of This Letter
I have no interest in vengeance. I am not seeking sympathy. I am seeking accuracy, accountability, and assurance that no employee or resident can be subjected to the same misuse of process without recourse.
Silence was necessary while the truth was gathered. Speaking now is necessary because it has been.
I remain proud of my service to this community, and I remain committed to the principle that systems built to protect the public must never be used to harm individuals without cause. But consider my job done going forward.
I respectfully request no media contact, for myself or for my family. We choose to let the system work—or not. Please leave us out of it.
Respectfully,
David John Harrington
Book is available here for free https://www.patreon.com/BigThunder36?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator
https://www.patreon.com/posts/open-letter-to-149162575
https://www.patreon.com/login?ru=%2Fposts%2Fone-little-slip-149108767%3Fimmediate_pledge_flow%3Dtrue%26post_tier_unavailable%3Dtrue
Balance Bethlehem NY
