About 14 to 16 months ago the Mayor and Council began an earnest search for a suitable building to house our police department. There are many reasons this needed to be done. The old armory that currently houses the PD is well over 80 years old. The roof leaks, the furnace is unreliable, there is lead paint, asbestos and mold in the building. Early 20th century lighting, wiring and public facilities are not adequate in a 21st century world, the jail is no longer serviceable and the building wastes energy like you would not believe. Our police officers and the public deserve better than this. We considered several buildings and finally settled on the one next to the PVFC on Market Street. An older building had been considered, but we were advised that the cost of renovation would exceed one million dollars, which did not include the purchase price of the property.
When renovations are completed, we should have a new modern station for considerable less than one million dollars. Some advantages of the new station in no particular order are:
It will be ADA compliant, contained all on one ground level floor
Much greater energy efficiency, resulting in savings for decades to come
More parking for public and officers without having to cross the street
Little or no environmental hazards in the building (lead, asbestos, mold)
More visible location, easier to find for folks from out of town
Better coordination with the PVFC due to being located next door
7 year old building instead of an 85+/- year old building
A fenced impound and prisoner transfer lot
- Officers will have the ability to transfer prisoner from patrol car to jail cell inside the building. This will be safer for the officers, prisoners and the public.
- Prisoners will no longer have to be immediately delivered to Snow Hill for incarceration which will save on gasoline and wear and tear on police vehicles and keep officers in town.
- Original building was built by a local contractor which will make renovations easier and less costly.
- Building is already partially wired for computer communications and all other utilities are in place
- Plenty of room for evidence storage and processing
- Space to provide meeting room for joint task force operations with other law enforcement agencies
- Police will have much quicker access to US 13 and 113 where many of our traffic accidents occur
We cannot know for sure what the utility savings will be, but we expect that the savings may offset between one half and two thirds of the annual mortgage cost, compared to the armory.
It is important to keep in mind that moving the station less than a mile from its present location will not affect policing anywhere in the city. Officers do not spend much time in the station except for roll call and processing prisoners. The Mayor, Council, City Manager and Police Chief will monitor policing activities as this process moves forward and take corrective action if needed.
Remember, we have not settled on the property yet, so this is all still in the planning stages. More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available. My apologies for the length of this article, but I felt it was important to share this information.
I will close by saying that there was not one single negative comment regarding this issue at our meeting tonight. Finally, God Bless and Protect our police officers and Thank God for the U. S. Navy Seals!
Respectfully,
Rob Clarke
Councilman, 5th District
49 comments:
Rob is so full of himself...I think this is just damage control...it all has to do with Laura, the mayor, who we don't need, and her working for Greg Butler...this letter is the biggest load of BS I've read yet coming from Rob Clarke...what a liar he is....stop doing damage control Rob; we the people of Pocomoke are on to what your all doing....smoke and mirrors...what a joke Pocomoke's Town Manager is and the council that keeps him there...you are ALL DISAPPOINTING..we expected more and what fools we were for doing so....
YOU NEED TO LEARN SOME MANNERS, Anon 12:52! I can only imagine what kind of parents you must have or have had while growing up! Councilman Clarke's letter makes very good and valid points and for you to call him a liar is very common trash behavior that you obviously learned at home!
What's apparent is that an overwhelming majority of residents must feel the purchase of this building is a good idea otherwise they would have been at the meeting to oppose the purchase en mass.
I second that anon 1:27.
I can't imagine anyone not wanting a nice police station. I can't imagine anyone wanting the police dept. to have to exist in a building that is almost too dangerous to be in.
But most of all what I don't understand is the number of people that come one here crying that the mayor and council tell the people nothing about what goes on and then when a councilman gives them reasoning and an explanation they call him a liar. That's a cheep stab!
And to bring other names into this is not needed. Those other people play no role in anything. No wonder the people of Pocomoke say they aren't told anything. if the idiots could be weeded out better things might get done a little faster.
12:52 hasn't a good argument so they have turned to personal attacks and name calling. No one has any use for that type of useless tactic.
Defaming someone's character is not a virture, but when it continues to happen to multiple targets by one ( or a few) anonymous posters, it is called SELF- defamation! Or in a more colorful way-- whenever you point one finger at someone else, there are 3 fingers pointing at yourself.
As to the conditions in the Armory, I have a recollection of complaints going back 20 years when the Boy Scouts and maybe some other youth groups met in the basement, near a lead-filled room used for a shooting range, and within occasional view of the jail cells- and that brought up safety concerns. Walls in that basement room were peeling and that resulted in health concerns too. The armory has for a long time been way beyond acceptable health and safety standards.
Why did it take so long to look for another building? Shouldn't Pocomoke City citizens be happy to see an emergency services complex coming along? Its so nice that this can be started when mortgage rates are very low!
I agree MLS and I hope they can get the deal signed sealed and delivered ASAP.
You are such an ignoramous 12:52. In one breath you say the mayor and council keep the public in the dark and then when Councilman Clarke is kind enough to update us you call him a liar. Go climb back in your hole and stay there!
Dear Editor,
My word has always been my bond and my sacred honor. To allow a coward on your comment board hiding behind an "anonymous" posting to libel and slander me is beyond the pale.
I would suggest that you take the step of blocking slanderous comments from being posted. Perhaps then we could have some open and civil dialogue that will contribute to the betterment of Pocomoke City.
I can tell you that morale at the Pocomoke PD has already been boosted by just the possibility that they may get a new station. I certainly hope and I believe that the Mayor, the other council members and city administration agree that we would like to see this become a reality by the end of the year.
Thank you for posting my article.
Sincerely,
Rob Clarke
1st response-
Some people have complained.
Some have given up.
Some don't care because they figure that they are going to do whatever they want to do irregardless.
Sorry, but when you 'welcome' only your buddies of course you won't have a negative word. The challenge is to listen to both sides and welcome opposing views.
Just see how well they are welcomed here.
With all due respect, if one is to consider both sides of the issue here is my questions to Mr. Clarke's posting.
Former Mayor McDermott promised meetings on this matter and Save the Youth and Salvation Army would be a part of that consideration. The minutes on line do reflect the second part of the sentence and memory recalls him stating there would be hearings on the matter. What has happened?
The fact is we went from the hen house to the frying pan real quick with no discussion and only public discussion on a possible loan on a building obviously considered for sometime.
One question remains of what is going to happen without a police station downtown in the hot area of 8th street and north? Do our elected officials care to listen or conduct a cost analysis or an impact study?
Is crime going to get better? Doubtful.
Don't think you will find one person, Sir, to disbute the issue the former armory building is in bad shape. But moving it to the opposite end of town? How does the saying go? Out of sight, out of mind.
Okay, so using your logic the south end of town has been neglected by the police for the last 40 years? Furthermore, using this same logic I guess the fire department will no longer respond to fires on the north end of town.
I don't think so.
Try to use some brain power and logic to formulate arguments that at least make sense to a sane person.
Anon 7:47 If you are so concerned about crime when the police dept. leaves maybe you could sit down there to keep an eye on things.
Sounds like to me you've missed a few meetings....Let's give the chief a little credit of knowing crime a bit more than any of us.
Can anyone tell me what Save the Youth does besides play basketball.
8:28pm Wrong organization.
Last two posts only ridicule person.
Still don't respond with a study or analysis.
Where is the study or analysis?
That's what a sane person asks.
One point to offer is kudos to Councilman Clarke for discussing the issue.
More than I can say for others as question was asked at a Community Awareness Meeting at New Macedonia Church a few months back and the response was "no they were not moving".
So now can we see the analysis study or cost analysis?
Perhaps have a respectful hearing about it with the people who will foot the bill for the mortgage?
Sounds like a reasonable request.
An analysis study/cost analysis of what 8:58? These studies cost 10,000's of dollars and only give probabilties. As far as a cost analysis, that's easy. If the city can purchase a newer building for under $100 per sq ft and with the interest rates this low they need to go for it and get it done.
What of the benefits of a Cost Analysis or feasbility study or impact study? Where is it? What is the harm of doing this?
Why skip an important key step for the sake of Pocomoke City?
Please dont tell me you adhere to the saying 'if it feels good, just do it'.
Albeit the police officers desire a conducive work environment, and certainly this helps them to quickly move to 13/113 intersection, more important is the ability/timeliness to respond to crimes that occur with 95% reliability from 9th street and north. Where do the majority of crimes happen now? The police are able to walk around the corner and patrol the downtown area and local businesses, albeit some decide not to walk and use vehicles.
Alot of towns that moved their police stations from certain hotspot areas only do so increasing crime in those areas.
Recent actions demonstrate this is not a concern. Elected officials, please show those of us concerned about the hotspot areas that you care.
Published Nov. 8, 2010
Surge in crimes hitting Old Saybrook; Economy, police station relocation seen as possible causes for increase
"Alot of towns that moved their police stations from certain hotspot areas only do so increasing crime in those areas."
Okay 9:50 where is your analysis / impact study to prove the above statement?
You object to the town spending money, now you want them to spend $10s of thousands on a study that will only result in some consultant's opinion of what might happen.
It is not like there are a bunch of suitable buildings sitting around town just waiting to be bought. Building a new station from scratch would cost in excess of $2 million, just ask Fruitland.
www.sfi.dk/graphics/Campbell/reviews/Hot_spots_policing_review.pdf
"The Minneapolis Hot Spots Patrol experiment revealed that roughly doubling the level of patrol in crime hot spots resulted in modest, but significant, reductions in total calls for service, ranging from 6% to 13%, in treatment places relative to control places (Sherman and Weisburd 1995: 643). Moreover, systematic observations of the hot spots suggested that disorder was only half as prevalent in treatment hot spots as compared to control hot spots (Sherman and Weisburd 1995: 643). The Jersey City DMAP experiment suggested that well-planned crackdowns followed by patrol maintenance resulted in significant reductions in disorder calls for service at the treatment drug hot sots relative to controls (Weisburd and Green 1995: 723-726). Similarly, the St. Louis POP quasi-experiment found that the enforcement problem-oriented policing strategy was associated with varying degrees of reductions in total calls for service at all three high-activity drug locations; these reductions were greater than any reductions observed in other blocks and intersections in the surrounding areas (Hope 1994: 17, 21, 26)."
10:45, the above cited study only addresses PATROL activities in crime hotspots.
No where do I see any mention regarding the location of the police station and its affect on criminal activity.
www.ci.laramie.wy.us/cityservices/planning/cityplanning/Documents/Chapter10PublicSafety8
"Another consideration to reduce crime and increase citizen participation is the accessibility of the police department itself. Presently, the police department is on Skyline Road on the south side of Laramie. This location is not readily accessible to the community. This location may also result in a “disconnect” from the community and the City police. A future police department may be better suited in or near the downtown area, a future joint police/fire station, or some other location that creates a civic center for the community. The substation will be staffed with police and volunteer personnel to help the community and visitors, take reports, as well as increase their presence with foot and bike patrols. Having a temporary substation in the downtown area can be a real indicator for a permanent substation based on the community response to the temporary facility."
Read the entire chapter for a little light reading.
10:15pm is just a bully, dont pay any attention to them. everyone knows the crimes are gonna increase. Helps with getting those grants.
What do y'all think about rehabbing an old Forestry Tower, or perhaps putting cops on the water towers with telescopes? I don't know much about police work, but I always thought they patrolled a town from cars and bicycles, not from windows of an old brick building. This are some really silly things going on here. On a normal shift, the cops are on patrol, not in a building. That point was already made. I think the real underlying theme here is a sore spot regarding Save the Youth. If that needs to be discussed, there are ample and civil forums for that too, but make that a separate issue from the possible new public safety facility!
Public safety facility?
What happened to police station?
Must know something public doesn't.
Save the youth sounds like a side issue.
But isnt a promise, a promise?
More essential to be open with public.
1:27 pm is correct; no one should attack a person. It is afterall, opinions. the issues are the concern.
Just wish our local goverment would objectively look at this from the public's concerns. They are aware there are residents and business owners who oppose this.
Sounds like they've made their mind up.
Wonder if it is going to take another petition to have them listen, again.
I think the consensus is that it's a good deal.. But disappointed that that building is so far from the north end of town, where a majority of the crime is.
If only there was some public assurance that the police would boost their patrols on that end of town? Or instead of the tucked away substation that exists, maybe get a more visible substation in the same area of town that serves as a presence, and give it a useful purpose so that that police will actually use it.
And Mr. Clarke.. Please ignore that bad commenter. They don't speak for the majority, and certainly have some issues of their own. You're doing a great job of interfacing with the citizens.
I agree with 12:34. A more visible substation is a good idea.And having a police dept on Mkt. street will make it easier to access the station instead of using the one way street.
The police department sure won't be getting a new station before they need it. That's for sure.
And I have to agree. Mr. Clarke you are doing a great job. Thanks so much for your polite and patient input.
A police station is a public safety facility! The firehouse is another public safety facility, and I suspect at times they have overlapping functions in protecting the people and property of a town and surrouding area. Why are you arguing about vocabulary?
Didn't the substation close some time ago? What was the reason that closed?
Why did it take over 8 months for the city to fix some cameras in town?
Are all of the cameras working now?
Is there a bad commentor on here? Only read a few people asking questions.
When did asking questions make a person bad?
Heard certain cameras are turned off.
Think about this:
The cameras are an issue that might bear more discussion. The public does not really need to know how many there are or where they are. Perhaps the pertinent question is to ask about the process for reporting & repairing a malfunctioning camera. This issue is not parallel with the discussion of a possible new building. It is a side issue.
At no time have I ever seen any one chastised for asking a legitimate question! Good discussion questions get a dialogue going and help to get answers. Name calling, however, is disruptive of discussion and a negative force in problem solving! Slander is destructive in so many ways.
Has the physical presence of our current police headquarters detered crime in that neighborhood? Of course that is quite difficult to answer!
Where was our police department housed before the armory? Did the criminals move to a new location when the police moved? Did the last move change the number, nature, or location of the crimes at that time?
How often have our police felt a need to drive the wrong way on 2nd St in response to a call? I have seen it more than once! They shouldn't have to do that!
The challenge now is to make a list of pro's and con's to this issue and arrange to present them to the city council. That way if there are more legitimate arguments for staying at the present location, then the people's voice will be heard. If there is a better location to move to, then that also may be heard.
Seems like no one wants to address the questions here.
How can anyone now present anything or ask any questions, when the council is considering a loan already?
Dear, MLS, you and I both know its already a done deal.
Did I miss something on here? Didn't read any name calling or slander.
Is the first post a reposting to another article. Seems I've read that somewhere before.
See MLS, you're new here. Those of us been here know how they operate. It was a done deal before even Monday! First few articles on here didn't tell you that.
As far as energy efficient? Yeah, right. Its a shell of a building with little to no insulation and concrete slab for floor. More parking? Thats not so. There are exactly the same number of parking spots in front and to the side in fact they have more, if you count their property, the street and the property across the street.
The only person benefiting is the person getting $700,000.00 for the building.
A message has been sent to the public. The heck with the town folks. No meetings announced on the subject. Only release an announcement the day of the meeting on the website in the agenda.
Their way or the highway mentality will be remembered. Trust me.
The biggest mistake this administration could've made.
What a smack in eveyone's face.
No longer friendliest town on eastern shore.
Or even honest.
Ok, here are the questions again and hopefully this won't be deleted!
1. How can anyone call the building energy efficient? Its a metal building with little to no insulation and with a concrete slab.
2. There are more parking spaces?
No, actually there are more (yes I counted them) at the former station between the three areas and not counting the fourth of the parking in back.
3. This benefits no one but the person getting $750,000.00 for a building worth half that. Where is the plan.
Mr. MLS, this was already a done deal before the meeting!
You are new here. Those of us been here years know better!
So don't preach to us. Glass houses always come tumbling down.
Especially when people don't tell the truth.
people are talking about a certain holier then thou speech on Saturday. seems people are seeing through it all.
Its talk of town.
Gosh they talked about cameras being off. So why are they still not fixed?
i'll ask. are there certain people carrying out drug deals they dont want to see?
good question
Anon 8:31, 8:32, 8:33,8:34,8:35,8:36, and on...
Please leave your remarks somewhere else or keep them to yourself. If you have something to say then say it. Stop beating around the bush with your little games.
And for the sake of your own sanity contact your councilman and discuss your concerns. Don't do it here anymore.
This blog is trying to open the lines of communication so that the people of Pocomoke will know what is taking place in Pocomoke.
I would expect all readers to respect that. Even you.
did so. got no where.
Tried to tell you that.
Yes, no response to any attempt to contact.
Bet you already knew that.
This, in your opinion, may be an open forum to discuss things but if you can't ask any questions, without getting attacked on here, what good is it?
It's the same old Boss Hogg Song and Dance. The building is a done deal and it was done in the 'Executive Session' after the April meeting.
You people attacked Billy and Stephanie for bringing all this stuff to light because you said it made Pocomoke look bad. No it only makes Pocomoke look bad because you tolerate it and don't go to the meetings to stop it, and by electing Boss Hogg cronies.
It's a shame that the more things change the more things stay the same.
Oh, and by the way that substation over by the shelter behind Mitchells Market was built with Grant Money obained by the Boss to the tune of $100k and they didn't use it but a few times. That money went somewhere else and we all know it.
. The article sited for crime going up when the police department moves is correct. It happens that way all over the country. The good thing is, is that crime usually follows a police station, so finally maybe the downtown will clean up and District 5 will begin to get their share of the crime that those living downtown have had to put up with for years. Especially since we all know that those in Dist. 5 have never had to deal with this.
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