Police Board Meeting
Also
in attendance were Town Clerk
At
The President asked for applause for Chief Blue and Major
Spencer.
800 MHZ
UPDATE
Major Spencer updated on the 800 MHZ project. He
discussed the kickoff meeting. Major Spencer stated that the target date was
Labor Day but they are waiting for the cable connectivity. He stated by October
1, the system should be up and running.
K-9 KENNEL
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Major Spencer updated on the K-9 kennel
construction. He stated that the construction walk-through should take place
Wednesday. He stated that the generator is also housed in this addition.
Ms. Jackson-Amis arrived at
PROMOTIONS
Chief Blue stated that Sgt. Mark Waltrup will be
promoted to Lt. – Commander of Special Operations and Captain David Spencer to Major.
Chief Blue discussed the direction of the Easton
Police Department and the concentration on open drug sales. He stated that he
is transferring the responsibility and supervision of the Outreach Unit which
is predominantly the bicycle officers and mirroring them to the drug
investigators.
PERSONNEL
ISSUES
Chief Blue stated that they have three recruits attending
the academy.
Chief Blue discussed participation in the Talbot
County Task Force.
Chief Blue stated that they are re-establishing
their relationship with the Talbot County Sheriff’s Department and the Maryland
State Police.
Major Spencer stated that the bicycle officers and
meter enforcement officers are now permitted to wear shorts.
Discussion occurred regarding the K-9 vehicles.
Major Spencer discussed the use of mobile telephones
and the prospect of cutting telephone bills.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed a conversation with
several guys about if they would come to a meeting with some of the officers
and talk about issues. She stated that one of the things that one of the things
discussed is Chief Blue asking him about the shirts and he assured him that the
shirts were not a gang related dress code but since they decided that since
they can’t afford the shirts with all of the logos, they go to these which may
be $6 each but there is some concern in the community. She stated that the
number one problem cited for many of them being on the street, is there is no
where for them to go due to the rise in the cost of the YMCA. Ms. Jackson—Amis
stated that they could play at
Chief Blue stated that the parks close at dusk.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if the Police Department
would consider sponsoring a basketball league as an inducement for
communication between officers and the community. She asked if the Department
would be amenable to having conversations with citizens regarding concerns
between young people and the Department.
Chief Blue stated that it is a lot less expensive to
educate young people than to incarcerate them. He stated that there could be
some involvement with Parks and Recreation due to their resources.
Mr. Ford discussed the Eastern Shore Athletic League
and the structure already in place.
Chief Blue discussed the concept of forming a
committee representing of the contributors for the PAL Fund to discuss
allocation of the funds.
Chief Blue discussed the sale of the old ambulance
that had been the SWAT vehicle years ago. He stated that he is working with
Denton Police Department.
The Town Clerk stated that he has spoken with Chief
Cox regarding the sale.
SALE OF RADIO
EQUIPMENT
Chief Blue stated that they will pursue the sale of
the old radio equipment when the 800 megahertz equipment is functional.
Major Spencer stated that Chestertown and
HOSTING
HONOR GUARD TRAINING
Chief Blue stated they are hosting Honor Guard
training in October. He stated that Lt. Henry is working with M.E.B.A. again to
hold the training there.
COMMENTS
Discussion occurred regarding Department moral.
Mr. Ford stated that it would be nice for the public
to hear Chief Blue’s short term plans for the Department.
Chief Blue stated that he welcomed the exchange from
the
ADJOURNMENT
Upon unanimous consensus, the
President of the
______________________________________
Town Clerk