If there was ever a letter I wanted you to read, this is the one.
Last night I attended a Crime Meeting hosted by the Wicomico County Sheriff's Department. At some other point I'll get into the details of that meeting but right now I'm tired and not really in the mood for a long Post.
That being said, there came a point in last nights meeting where the topic came up, where's the Salisbury Police department. Davis Ruark was there, Sheriff Lewis was there, Ed Lashley, Chief of SU police was there, why no City representation?
Now why would several policing Agencies be there but the SPD wasn't invited, some brotherhood. Nevertheless, Councilwoman Debbie Campbell started asking some pretty good questions, one of which was, what's it going to take to wake others up that crime is a serious issue and who's going to take charge.
Sheriff Lewis was very clear by stating that after last night's shooting, (East Side Deli) the Sheriff contacted Chief Webster and offered the immediate services of 11 of his Detectives to immediately assist with this shooting. Not one of his Detectives were dispatched. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Webster turned down the Sheriff's offer.
That being said, Sheriff Lewis went on to say that if a shooting or a murder occurred in the County, his Detectives would work two to three days straight without sleep until that crime was solved, whatever it takes, my people will not sleep. It's been reported that the City of Salisbury Detectives were home within two hours after the East Side Deli shooting and the crime was NOT solved. Perhaps an 11 additional Detectives working several days in a row could have HELPED solve that crime, I don't know.
I address this letter to Mayor Ireton and offer it publicly because the public needs to know that there was one other thing said last night after the Sheriff and States Attorney Davis Ruark was challenged. Someone asked, if the Chief of the SPD won't take Sheriff Lewis up on such an offer, who can take charge, who can make that decision to better protect our City. The answer was, Mayor Ireton can. Davis Ruark said, while it would have been quicker for the Chief of Police to accept the help, the Mayor can step in and make such decisions. The Mayor has the authority to request other Agencies to come inside the City limits to assist.
So Mayor Ireton, just when will YOU grow a set and demand protection for the Citizens of the City of Salisbury. It's time to grow up here Jimmy and become Jim. These murders and shootings are now YOUR responsibility. Chief Webster stated to WBOC yesterday that the Chief is tired of certain people blaming his department for all the crime in the City and that the citizens need to get more involved and start telling the Police who's doing the crime. The citizens are NOT blaming the Salisbury Police Department, they are blaming CHIEF WEBSTER. Those men and women can only do as much as Webster will allow.
"Fight Crime, Not Opinions" Chief! Quit your bellyaching about people like me and do your damn job for once in your life. Man up and resign your position and let others take over the SPD who have a proven track record in solving crimes. When WBI and the Sheriff's department comes to you and offers their services, TAKE IT! Some have said the Chief didn't want to pay the overtime. Again, the Taxpayers that pay your salary and getting shot and killed in their own businesses and you're worried about overtime!
Businesses are starting to close their doors at 5:00 PM because of the high crime. Others are locking their doors and some are building security walls with bullet proof glass to protect their loved ones and employees. My God, what's next.
Mayor Ireton, while I may be speaking out of place here, I believe the Taxpayers have had enough as well as Chief Webster's BS. I have been asked to put together a Bon Fire with Citizens to gather together to denounce this Chief of Police and the Mayor as well, if necessary. I personally believe a pro active meeting where citizens come together to provide possible solutions is the answer.
If you're interested, (citizens) please let us know here in comments and we will put this together on a private piece of property where the Chief cannot stop such a rally. Enough Is Enough and we're not going to take it any more!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
64 comments:
Joe - I think more people would attend a march on City Hall. A private bonfire is not the way to go in my opinion.
Let the Chief try to arrest the hundreds - maybe thousands that show up. Invite the Washington and Baltimore media to attend - this is now bigger than little ole Salisbury. This is GROSS misconduct in office by everyone that is a leader in the City.
I had heard the rumor that the Sheriff's offer of help was turned down. Webster is jealous - and appears to be willing to put the people he is sworn to protect at risk over his own ego.
The City better wake up and deal with this NOW before there is a real revolt.
It is scary out here!
Lewis made the same kind of comments at a meeting in Nuttres after the home invasion shooting there..." an arrest is imminent" etc...to my knowledge that crime remains unsolved.
If there is anyway I can be there, I will. I unfortunately have been out of commission health wise and was not able to attend last evenings meeting. Probably a good thing because I would have stood up and voiced my concern and would have I am sure been asked to leave.
I am a business owner and fear for my life anymore - not just after 5PM.....what stops the thugs from coming into my business during the day? Look at the banks....they were not after 5PM!
So, WEBSTER....you need to go and have a Chief who is really concerned about his community and who lives in the same community where he serves as Chief.
Let us not forget how we got into this mess, and who bears responsibility for many of our crime troubles by denying them for so long that we were already a sinking ship: Barrie Tilghman, Gary Comegys, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart, Shanie "It ain't murder if he knows who he's gonna kill" Shields, and Louise Smith. These people should live on in our memories as the bad apples that they are, rotting everything they touch.
2011 is coming. It'll be time to clean house of Comegys and Smith, and to make sure that none of their clones make it into council. I won't name names - you know who I mean.
Yes, Yes, A thousand times yes, we need to do something and do it now
The Disharoons
Ireton, you're a complete fool, like Webster, if you do not step up to the plate and tell everyone that you are going to accept whatever help you can get from other police agencies to solve these murders. Why wouldn't you do that anyway? Don't you live in Salisbury? Don't you care? And yes, there does need to be a rally to get these yahoo's out of office if they are not going to do their job.
Joe, you mention that businesses are starting to close at 5:00 now - that's not all. I refuse to come to Salisbury and shop and spend my money due to the safety issue and the fact Chiefy doesn't give a damn. Moral is shot in that agency. Don't believe me? talk to the front line officers. Its a joke. I do my shopping in Delaware now. Not only do I save taxes, I probably save my life by avoiding the open-market gunfest going on in Salisbury.
I say we start "fashion profiling" by "stop and talk" to ALL wearing "hoodies" especially after dusk. I say if a person is just standing around - stop and talk. I say if there is a group of two or more - stop and talk. Oh? worried about the NAACP or the ACLU? touch shi!. Do it and worry about any potential law suit later. It is time for Salisbury to seriously consider curfews and to start saturating areas with a massive police presence. Hell, call out the National Guard MP's if you have to. Take my advice if you don't live in Salisbury. Stay OUT of it - spend your money elsewhere. sign me "had enough"
Count me in! I'm sick of being afraid to go out at night and also of seeing good, honest, hardworking people become victims of crime because our Chief of Police is a piece of crap! He doesn't give a rat's a$$ about the citizens of Salisbury. I don't blame the officers on the street, they can only do so much and I am sure that he has a tight leash on them. I BLAME HIM!! He should be out there riding with officers at night being proactive instead of hiding at home and denying that there is a crime problem. How dare he refuse help that is offered...how arrogant can he be?! If paying overtime will help to reduce crime, I don't mind paying for it. I do have a problem paying for his B.S. lawsuits and the gas that he uses driving home to hide. I pay taxes and I want him fired!! If the Mayor doesn't step in and do something, I want him removed from office!!
I'll definitely attend. Should I bring hot dogs or marshmallows?
I am with you ! I work in the City of Salisbury . We now keep our office door locked at all times. If a customer and or employee needs to get in they have to call ahead , WHAT A WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS!!
The only problem with bringing other agencys in to help would be Webster would put gag orders on his people to limit their help.
can we peacefully protest at the court house??
Bonfire, he!!
Do it on his front door step (minus the fire except the one in people's eyes)!
Webster can't break up a peaceful assembly. Let him try!
Invite There Ain't No Crime Problem Shields and her worthless bosses Comegys and Smith. Let 'em see what's in store for them if they don't ditch this worthless chief.
11 Detectives on the Sheriff Lewis's force. and the City Police has... how many?
it's about time we call this for what it is..a uniform unionized failure
Greg Knowles is the latest victim of this failure
The resources are in place to at least shut down the drug trade and prostitution near the old train station..along N 13
Make a move towards some progress this Year instead of the proverbial dung heap this town is rapidly moving towards.
Why can't we demand a focused public sector..not one where the ratio of assets spent on benefits and human resources cuts into the return we get as a community?
Put the Officers on the Street and the ones out there already should do more than perching themselves at the same old Stop Signs collecting revenue.
Business Owners are at the point they need to question if this Community's Public Safety Network has the collective will to do anything but spend the lion's share of their time looking out for their own welfare.
Stop posturing and clean up one mess at a time..together.
Ill bring some wood and matches.
It seems that human life, Greggs, didnt mean much to the chief or ireton.
Its just not right not to search this country until this piece of $hit is found.
Enough already!
Well said. Chief Webster has never and will never accept help from other agencies because he fears they will get the glory. That's a fact. He is so envious of Sheriff Lewis and every other Chief of Police that he would rather do nothing and play the victim. Well Chief, you get paid very well to do nothing. While Mark Tyler serves as your spokesman and your detectives leave work in order that overtime is not paid, what exactly are YOU doing? Nothing apparently except working to sue the very city that pays you to protect them. You are a joke and you have been for 10 years!
While I fully sympathise with your disgust and anger, what would holding a bonfire accomplish?
Want to have a rally, have it in broad day light, downtown where people can step up and voice their anger, frustrations, and solutions.
It's getting close to election time for Ruark, that's the only reason he cares about this situation. Better have a lot of evidence if they expect Ruark to take this case in front of a judge.
I am for the bon fire to denounce Webster! The Mayor isn't doing anything. We the citizens need to line up infront of SPD and protest that SOB.
Are you telling us that Webster refused other agencies' help why? and what bout the WBI.
One very important meeting and no SPD Chief. This man and this City are a disgrace. Its like the wild west and there is nothing being done to stop it. Mayor Ireton you are a huge disappointment and I'm sorry I voted for you. This is an easy decision and you cant make that happen. The police Chief is doing nothing and we demand you take action. Either light a fire under his butt or show him the door. I'm tired of my city being a war zone. Maybe you'll grow a set when you get robbed yourself.
We have just had a family meeting and we have pledged (all 14 of us) to no longer shop in downtown Salisbury, no eating, no more stop-offs on the way home, nothing.
Downtown Salsibury establishments, consider yourself boycotted.
Couldn't county or state people take over investigation anyway???? Why the hell do we pay county and state tax for.
Chiefy is appealing dismissal of his lawsuit while Salisburians bleed. See this:
SALISBURY — Police Chief Allan Webster plans to challenge the dismissal of his lawsuit against the city of Salisbury, according to attorney Robin Cockey.
Cockey said this morning Webster has chosen to challenge the ruling by a motion for reconsideration to be filed no later than Monday.
A judge ruled Tuesday to grant the city's motion to dismiss Webster's case but Cockey said the dismissal came prior to his deadline to file a response. He said the court's deviation from the time line will be the basis for his motion of reconsideration.
See the full story in The Daily Times on Thursday
Public Place, such as The Downtown Plaza,
End of workday, so many people can attend
Very Peaceful, so there will be only ONE message sent- That there ARE enough of us that change WILL occur. One way or another.
Hey the Big news is Webster plans to challenge the dismisal of his lawsuit against the city of Salisbury. What a brave boy.
As it has been mentioned many many times , WEBSTER needs to go !!!!!! He is NOT a team player !!!!
Crime in the City not only keeps people out and businesses closed, the County run monopoly -the Dispensary on E.Naylor Mill- locks its door after dark. SPD thus not only hurts city business and revenue, it hurts the rest of the County. Bet none of the five liquor stores in Delmar lock their doors at night before closing. Of course they need to earn their profits.
10:18 why just the downtown? Do you know that the Centre is in the city's jurisdiction? Did you know that Milford Street is the city's jurisdiction. How about all the way down the Blvd? look at all those businesses. NONE of them will I visit - too dangerous.
We like the idea of a rally downtown. Just to let the powers that be know how many people are willing to leave their homes and show up in the cold weather at a busy time of year. Around the old firehouse and library there is lots of open areas. Or right on the brick sidewalks. There would be no mistake as to why such a crowd had gathered. To demand change.
Rally at the GOB Monday night before the council meeting. Surround the building, front of GOB, Division St, and the back of the building where the council enters. Then take it to the council chambers. Don't stop until the demands for Chief Websters termination has been met. You can not lead a department from a tree stand in the woods.
While the thugs are out hunting people, Chief Webster is out of the office DEER HUNTING.
RALLY at GOB
Monday Night, December 7
5 PM
Overall Webster has been less than open to outside help. I have an issue with all these public meetings. Its great for the media to get photo ops, but it is not fixing one damn thing. Any cop worth his or her salt saw this coming. It comes every year at this time and we knee jerk,play the media.
DO YOUR FREAKIN JOBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The leaders of our local departments should have implemented a high speed proactive unit three weeks ago. Someone should have been given the task of getting this up and running. God knows the BRASS is way to busy to do it. Delegation is a great tool when used properly. It is abuse when done all the time by those placed in a position to lead.
I am sorry but I am pissed. Joe say what you want the mission is failing for all the wrong reasons. Webster does have a huge piece of the pie, but there is plenty to go around.
My feeling is if a Lt., Capt., Major have enough manpower to continually delegate their responsibilty to a suborinate then they are availiable to be out fighting crime. To many soft seats not enough crime fighters.
If we do not get a grip on this crime issue this will fester into something none of us want to see.
Mike lewis is a great Sheriff. It is time for him to roll up his sleaves and tell Webster who is the actual authority in this county.
Take that Command Center and set it up on Church Steeet. The old addage build it they will come. The foot soldiers from the WCSO, MSP, SPD ,DPD, FPD will surely work together. They do it every day. They recognize we are out there fighting the war on crime. We realize in our hour of need it will be a foot soldier that will come to call for help.
Each and every admin. has been there. To many have forgotten the helpless feeling of being out numbered and out gunned due to politics.
We can have 100 meetings it will not cure the immeadiate need for proactive, swift, and percise plan of attack.
Some of this crime is poverty related, but I feel strongly the majority is gang related.
I feel like we are in a heavy weight boxing match with 80 oz. gloves on when we need to be going bare knuckles.
Major "C"
I vote with 11:06. Of course they would never have the council meeting, but at least it would let those idiots know that we are tired of waiting for someone to do something.
I emailed this article to my friends & in turned asked them to email to their friends...Everyone should do this to make sure the citizen of this town are informed as to what is going on. They may not watch the news, but they read their email.
Campbell is right. We have lots of law enforcement resources here, but no one to guide them to act in a coordinated manner to combat crime. Webster has diddled around long enough. He's shown that he's neither well qualified for nor plugged in to being a team player on a team that works for the safety of the community.
EX SPD OFFICER
Shhoting in Mall, Dykes on scene, Mayor on scene incident resolved working fast with numerous officers. Killing in Old Mall, Many officers called in, Chief, Deputy Chief, Mayor both there working hard around clock to solve murder.
Maybe, just Maybe CHief Dykes wasn't so bad and Mayor Tilghman needed to get rid of him to get away with things.... Wow, it sure seems Salisbury has gone down hill ever since we lost that man and gained the losers we have.
Ill never move back...
Will someone please tell me WHY chief Webster is still employed by Salisbury. Are you people afraid of that little runt.Can Him
1111
something about that date.....
My wife and I decided last night to not go out in Salisbury after dark. We now plan on doing our Christms Shopping via the internet and have advised the kids we will not be dining out locally for a while. We are going to miss Adams & Market Street :-(
Let's get a public revolt and demonstration and make our voices heard!!!
i'm a student @ SU & went last night. this report is correct. the only people from the city was two councilwomen, the one you mentioned & one with short brown hair.
i cannot believe what is going on in this city & your chief doesn't show up anywhere. i will be soooo glad when finals are over & i can go home for break & be safe!
Joe,
I've been reading your blong for quite some time and always wondered why people get so irate on comments but no action is taken. The issues going on with Chief Webster have come to a point where the citizens are ready to do something instead of talking about it! Is the last post of Monday Dec 7 at 5pm confirmed?
Unforunately I work 2 jobs and often don't have the ability to go to council meetings and meetings where these issues are discussed but I want action so I'm willing to put time aside for this! This cannot continue any longer.!
You are a leader in this town, please help get something real started! Ill support you!
Thanks!
Make sure you have a valid permit for that bonfire.
If every police officer was like Sheriff Mike Lewis we would be pretty much crime free in Wicomico county and Salisbury, but the truth is he is one in a million and we need more like him. Mike Lewis is a crime fighting machine, while most others are metermaids with guns. With that said he is training the men and women at the sheriffs department to follow his lead and hopefully they will become a Mike Lewis junior. I hope other cops are not jealous and that they will indeed follow in his footsteps. The county needs police like Mike.
I thought I read something that said Ireton is out on leave because he broke his ankle... Not sure why he couldn't still work as Mayor... I don't know what the latest is on the situation, but it doesn't seem to make sense to me.
11:46 No truer word have been spoken!!!! The late Chief Dykes would have been on these crimes like a wet blanket and wouldn't have stopped until there was a conviction Can anyone find numbers of unresolved cases before and after chief worthless???
It all really comes back to Tilghman, she screwed Salisbury so bad for so many years no one can fix it. SHe was the start of it and anyone who comes in and thinks they can fix it is mistaken. Clean house, all department heads start from scratch, do not let anyone in that has special interest.
Wake up, we are seeing first hand what US is going through, how do you become a politician? Advertise and have supporters. Well you have to pay those suppporters back. Limit donations to poloticians and limit terms.
OUR COUNTRY is a joke to most now, and babying those gangsters like liberals want us to is a joke.
Good Luck Salisbury, you are going to need it....
Thank you Barry Tilghman
I usually take what I read with a grain of salt but if facts are as they are told, ie: Webster going deer hunting immediately following another vicious attack on a citizen/business man he should at least be called to task. Hopefully, if and when he is gone, the council will add a sentence in the contract of the new Chief, that he reside in Salisbury or at least Wicomico Co. One of the most disturbing things is his alleged refusal of help from the WCSO. This downright ignorance on his behalf. His vanity/pride should take a back seat at this time. I worked with Coulbourne Dykes, while an LEO, and I can rest assure you that he would not have been in the woods hunting unless he had info that the perps were in there. He would have been on the streets with his troops. Poor Salisbury. Living now in Florida, where one can legally carry protection, I would like to see Maryland adopt a much more lenient law. jackkcharl@aol.com
All of you who are not going downtown because of fear need to look in the mirror--do not let the criminals win! Your chances of being attacked are miniscule, and if you become a prisoner of your own home, you've let them win. I, for one, intend to keep going downtown, will go out of my way to head to the Eastside Deli, and will show the thugs that they do not rule this town. I will keep my eyes and ears open, but I will travel freely throughout this town.
Mike is the Sheriff of Wicomico County. He is being gracious by offering his assistance - but he doesn't have to offer. He can assert his authority over the Chief and take the crime scene over. If I were him I would no longer permit the citizens of the City of Salisbury to suffer at the hands of an incompetent Chief of Police. The next crime of violence should be followed by a uniformed response by the Sheriff's office and then by the WBI at the DIRECTION of the Sheriff. Mike does not have to wait for an invitation. Let's see what happens next.
And the sad part of all of this is that it HAD come down to this!!!! Salisbury will pay the salary of this worthless Chief of Police who is doing NOTHING now and then when he retires...because no one of authority (the mayor) is willing to fire him...we are going to pay him RETIREMENT...this way he can lay back on his worthless butt as he has done for years and do nothing on the taxpayers AGAIN!!! Chief Webster has Salisbury going to hell in a handbag under his direction and then he's going to retire not giving a sh*t about Salisbury or its residents...what a thank you to the taxpayers who paid his salary during his term....Chief Webster why don't you do the residents of Salisbury a huge favor the way they have you over the years...AND QUIT!!! YOUR WORTHLESS AND EMBARRASSING SALISBURY!!!
1:38 pm you go right ahead but I won't nor will I let my family. I will eat in OC and do my shopping in Delaware.
If the city council is more interested in purchasing a fire boat than properly funding the police dept.; perhaps we can just donate the dept. to the county. Sell the sby police building to a rec center type business.
My guess is the officers would rather be county anyhow.
No jobs would be lost.
They city can use the $$$ to pay for Webster and his attorneys and just be done with it.
The county will simply adopt whatever funds the city currently budgets for the SPD.
I really don't see the advantage of having a
low budget police dept..
Would all the drama and all the turnover just be gone?
I feel sorry for our city officers who are really trying, but can't make much of a difference with 3 times the national # of cases to juggle. Why do we even have a police chief with no personal interest in Salisbury. He came from out of town and still refuses to live here.
Its time for sby law enforcement to go to the professionals.
We'll all be safer and wealthier.
Doesn't Deal Island
need a police chief anyhow ?
To the citizens of Wicomico County -- law enforcement needs your help. Be alert, pay attention, call in with tips, sitings, etc. Do what you can to help fight crime !! Don't blame crime on anyone other than the criminals themselves! Aren't we tired of suffering their crimes against us? It's time to stand up and fight. Call the police and call often.
Count me and my family in on any demonstration. We need to take back our city. I am afraid to patronize any business after dark. Stop payment on that check for the fire boat and re-route those funds to crime fighting. Oh, and in case no one else already thought of it...FIRE WEBSTER!!!!!!
Sorry guys but you don't get it, the chiefs incompetance has made him famous.
5:00 down town Monday, I'll be there. We don"t have to say a thing, we don't have to do a thing. Just show up! With signs if you want to say something. Please do not touch or yell at anyone. DO NOT GIVE THEM A REASON TO SEND US AWAY AND NOT HEAR WHY WE ARE HERE. BE NICE BUT BE STRONG. Please remember some do not want hear what is screaming at them.
map
12:46 I am not sure if you are being funny or what??
I can assure you there are numerous L.E.O.s that have more felony arrest in our crime ridden community.
They do not get the press they deserve.
Great Sheriff no doubt about it.
Lets keep it real
Anonymous said...
The only problem with bringing other agencys in to help would be Webster would put gag orders on his people to limit their help.
9:45 AM
WTF do you idiots always figure in a negative to a positive situation. That is what is wrong with you lazy a$$ eastern shore rednecks. You are to lazy to be reactive much less proactive.
Sign me Fed Up with the Same Ole BS
Anonymous said...
can we peacefully protest at the court house??
9:46 AM
NO! Protest at every damn city council meeting until you get results. You people bitch that the county council meetings are during the day and you can't attend because you work during the day. Well guess what the CITY COUNCIL meetings are at night when you are not working so everyone of you need to pack those council chambers until you get results. If that means forcing Bubba, Louweasel and Liarton to resign then so be it. I continue to be at every council meeting from now on. Care to join me?
Anonymous said...
Couldn't county or state people take over investigation anyway???? Why the hell do we pay county and state tax for.
10:19 AM
Yes the county can take over the investigation as the lead. The only reason this isn't being done is out of courtesy for the allied agencies. One thing people forget is that the CITY is in Wicomico County. If Mr. Knowles was a family member of mine I would demand that Sheriff Lewis and his staff take over the investigation. Mr. Knowels pay city and county taxes for his business and he is also a county resident. Mike, you are a very good friend of mine so I implore you to take over this investigation. Screw the courtesy this time.
1007
I dont live in the city but you know what, I should go to more of those city meetings.
I think next time I'll bring popcorn.
It's better than the a carnival freak show for raw entertainment value.
Anonymous said...
To the citizens of Wicomico County -- law enforcement needs your help. Be alert, pay attention, call in with tips, sitings, etc. Do what you can to help fight crime !! Don't blame crime on anyone other than the criminals themselves! Aren't we tired of suffering their crimes against us? It's time to stand up and fight. Call the police and call often.
4:12 PM
F#%K YOU Bubba, I pay taxes for police protection. I don't pay taxes for some lazy a$$ police chief and a few lame officers to sit on their butts to collect a pay check. That Crime Watch theory is for the birds. Get lost. We pay for quality of life and that doesn't mean to do police work. We deserve to live in a safe city. Call the police and call often, ROTFLMAO. You are an idiot. We are calling the police and they are doing nothing. I mean nothing!
Post a Comment