CUMBERLAND — Allegany County Bureau of Police Chief J. Robert Dick reflected on what he called a “very, very busy year” for the agency in 2009, its first full calendar year in operation.
Dick offered a detailed report to County Administrator David Eberly and the Allegany County commissioners Friday during a public work session.
Dick said his agency, despite “operating with limited resources,” responded to more than 12,000 incidents. Dick did not elaborate on what those limited resources are. However, with 10 officers on the street, three assigned to C3I, one on a permanent assignment at the Eckhart Alternative School and two administrators — Dick and operations supervisor Lt. Rodney Bell — the yearly figures from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, included:
• 210 assaults.
• 192 thefts.
• 55 breaking-and-entering/ burglaries.
• 7 armed robberies.
• 230 disturbances.
• 73 destruction of property.
• 130 K-9 scans for drugs.
• 455 motor vehicle crashes.
• 89 DUI arrests.
• 20 suicide attempts.
In addition, Dick said, officers made more than 1,700 traffic stops, issued 1,250 citations and 650 warnings. More than 860 criminal arrests were made. The fun side of the job, Dick said, included helping with community events such as the East Coast Sturgis motorcycle rally in eastern Allegany County, the Mountain Maryland Marathon in Cumberland and DelFest at the Allegany County Fairgrounds.
Dick addressed the conception there is controversy and tension between supporters of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, which was responsible for road patrol duties until late July 2008, and the Bureau of Police.
“Every place I go ... from Little Orleans, Westernport and Mount Savage, citizens have been receptive and supportive,” Dick said.
Commissioner Jim Stakem was one of the three elected officials who issued an executive order that transferred road patrol duties to the newly expanded Bureau of Police and facilitated the transfer of 14 deputies to the commissioner-controlled agency. Stakem said Friday that each of the bureau’s officers he has talked with have conveyed to him they have never been better managed — a less-than-subtle critique of Sheriff David Goad’s management style.
“I just want to compliment you on that,” Stakem told Dick. “They tell me they really feel like they’re policemen now. And I feel that’s important.”
Commissioner Bob Hutcheson called Dick’s review “probably the most complete report I’ve heard since I became commissioner.”
Eberly said there were a number of “chain of command issues” still to be dealt with. He asked Dick to meet with Human Resources Director Brian Westfall on the matter in an effort to “let us evaluate your chain of command ... (and) make sure it’s adequate.”
Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.
Local News
Bureau of Police chief reflects on ‘very, very busy year’
- Local News
-
-
School board to make case against Myers’ bill
State lawmakers should stay out of local school board business when it comes to deciding where children go to school when an out-of-county school is closer to home.
-
LOVE’S IN THE AIR
Barbershop quartet singers, from the left, Lisa Tompkins, Kevin McKenzie, Roger Anderson and Wendy Anderson perform at a Valentine luncheon at the Gordon-Roberts House on Washington Street Saturday. The group entertained those in attendance with love songs.
-
State reforms on board agenda
The Allegany County Board of Education will hear an update on state education reform efforts when it meets Tuesday night.Chief Academic Officer Janet Wilson is scheduled to speak about state reforms during a regular work session at 5 p.m.
-
Romney holds off Ron Paul, wins Maine
Mitt Romney narrowly won Maine’s Republican caucuses, state party officials announced Saturday, providing his campaign with a much-needed boost after three straight losses earlier this week. But the former Massachusetts governor won just a plurality of the Maine vote, suggesting he still has work to do to unite GOP voters behind his candidacy.
-
Learning experience
Todd Blowe walks with his son A.J., 4, as he learns to ride his bike Friday on North Centre Street in Cumberland.
-
Garrett lawmakers won’t pursue collective bargaining
Garrett County’s two lawmakers in Annapolis have decided not to pursue the Garrett County commissioners’ request to be granted legislative authority to mandate collective bargaining for County Roads Department employees.
-
Allegany County overflows noted
Due to precipitation and melting snow during the first two weeks of February, several combined sewer/stormwater overflows occurred in Allegany County.
-
Calling for end to violence
Frostburg State University students participated in the BURG Clothesline Project on Thursday at The Lane Center on The FSU campus.
-
Pennsylvania couple die minutes apart
James and Marjorie Landis of Westmont, Pa., were married and inseparable for 65 years. They died last week just 88 minutes apart.
-
AFSCME backs more changes to pensions for judges than commission recommends
The Judicial Compensation Commission is recommending practically no changes to judges’ pensions, except for an increase in contributions by new judges.
- More Local News Headlines
-
School board to make case against Myers’ bill
