There are many that absolutely love Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan. She really is a pro active leader with true experience. You see Folks, (IMHO) a leader has to be a person who not only understands their job, a leader has the wisdom and experience to manage and retain their staff.
Let me give you an example. Right now you're seeing the Sheriff's Department patrolling Rt 13 and the Bypass. They're looking out for specific drivers, (skin color) and specific out of state vehicles. The intent, (some might call it profiling) is to pull over certain out of state vehicles that match a specific description. The reason for such is to pull over and catch the drugs, weapons and cash one might find from these specific vehicles.
Now, while many in Wicomico County get wind of such traffic stops and pat certain people on the back, your County truly is not getting the protection you deserve. The most disturbing part of this is the fact that surrounding municipalities are now trying to get into the game in the hopes of catching these specific vehicles not picked up by the Sheriff's Department, or even perhaps before they reach the Sheriff's Department vehicle.
Sooner or later the practice of targeting one type of vehicle and a specific kind of driver is going to end. In the mean time, what are you getting protection wise? If you have Officers patrolling Rt 13 and the Bypass all the time, they are NOT being seen patrolling neighborhoods. More importantly, this goes for municipal Police as well. All of a sudden these officers want to be as good as Sheriff Lewis, or as recognized. Because each municipality is understaffed in the first place, why concentrate on Rt 13 or the Bypass?
This brings me back to leadership. Chief Barbara Duncan is concentrating on community policing, not Rt 13 and the Bypass. She's not out kissing babies and probably hates having to take the time to go to certain political press conferences and so forth. She has a LOT of work to do, especially with what the former Chief of Police left behind. Nevertheless, the morale in the SPD has never been higher, (some may argue this point with me). The same can't be said for the WCSO. When you have an entire team of Officers doing outstanding jobs and only one person takes all the credit, over time these veteran Officers get fed up and leave.
Another major issue you have is the fact that it's almost impossible to recruit new Officers. You have to have an unbelievable record to get accepted these days into the Police Academy. Such records are the kind in which these people receive scholarships to colleges, not Police departments. So to find good people, well, let's just say not many people want to spend the majority of their free time after work in court for what turns out to be very little pay in the end.
There was a lot of talk about the Sheriff's Department not having disability. An Officer was shot last week and IF he had been disabled, he'd be screwed. Hardly worth taking that kind of risk, wouldn't you agree?
Nevertheless, leadership is extremely important. Having a leader who recognizes everyone else, (rather than just one person) is what is needed. Many of us placed Sheriff Mike Lewis on the top shelf, many of us were wrong for doing so. Many police officers told me years ago this would be a problem and quite frankly I didn't see it coming, sorry.
In recent weeks we are seeing execution style murders. We have seen a police officer shot. We CANNOT make a difference policing the Bypass and NOT protecting our communities. You might even say that Sheriff Lewis has actually increased crime stats in Wicomico County. I know, that's a harsh statement but think about it for a minute. IF the Deputies were out patrolling the County with PROACTIVE policing and those people running drugs up and down the Bypass simply cruised through our communities untouched, crime numbers wouldn't be on the rise like they have been based on these drug arrests. Because so much time is being spent on the Bypass, there's no doubt in my mind that IF we were policing our communities instead many would think twice about execution style murders. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. THINK about that, please.
Let the State Police handle the drug runners, or Homeland Security. If things continue down the path they are right now we'll simply have Officers REACTING to crimes that have already taken place, rather than Officers PROACTIVELY policing our communities to help prevent crime.
Considering Wicomico County is so large, why hasn't Sheriff Lewis opened up the Sub Stations throughout the County. Well, I think if you have read this Post this far you'll now know why. I personally think it's more important to the leadership in the WCSO to make the Rt 13 and Bypass arrests than it is to protect our communities. These arrests will NOT benefit Wicomico County citizens.
Oh sure, many of you will come back here and say that it will but if you stop for just a few minutes and look at this for what it really is, it really doesn't help us. It's easy to argue that taking ALL drugs off the streets is a benefit, who can really argue that. However, with execution style murders going on in Wicomico County, IF we don't start challenging our leaders right here and now we're simply going to see more of these murders and who knows what else.
Don't shoot the messenger. Just because I personally disagree with how things are going doesn't mean these leaders aren't great leaders. Every one has room to grow. However, when you have leaders who never get challenged, well, that's a very scary outcome. Most are not aware that any of this has been going on. Open your minds to what I'm bringing forth in this Post and rather than saying Joe just hates Mike Lewis, WRONG! I think Mike Lewis in many ways is an incredible human being. Just because I do not agree with everything Mike does doesn't mean I hate Mike or Law Enforcement.
I'm simply the ONLY one who is willing to use my name to challenge Mike. I'm not trying to be a rebel. I'm very concerned for the safety of those in Wicomico County. Especially lately!
New Posts to fall below.
They want the money they get from the vehicles and money seized in these drug arrests made on the Bypass. Lets face it, this how Mike Lewis made his name as part of the MSP. Of course if the Revenue Cap didn't hinder the funding to the Sheriff's Dept. then they wouldn't need to raise their own money with drug arrests and seizures.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Officers need to get out of their cars and get to know their community again. Lewis enjoys the money from these big arrests but your spot on with this Joe.
ReplyDeleteMr. Albero,
ReplyDeleteYou 'da man! Thank you for the ommentary.
Drug runners might be scared of Mike Lewis but murders certainly aren't. I'd prefer the drug runners driving through the county over friends and neighbors being murdered.
ReplyDeleteExactly right 11:06.
ReplyDeleteESPECIALLY when the murderers ARE the police.
I have never commented on a blog before but I feel an overwhelming need to say my peace. If officers are not patrolling our communities and instead are on the bypass, your one hundred percent correct. If criminals have the opportunity to commit crime they will take advantage of it. I wasn't aware of this going on but it makes perfect sense. Sheriff Lewis said to me once that criminals fear him. He said crime happens outside his county. Thanks for waking up an old man Joe. He's not the leader I thought he once was.
ReplyDeletewhen you catch out of state drug runners, lock them up in the Wicomico county jail, they make friends. new drug connections, more drugs outlets, get the picture. When ECI and Wic co jail ex-cons get out and have nowhere to go they live in Salisbury. the only way they know how to survive is crime, they don't have much luck getting a job. ECI was more jobs for people on the shore. well with guard jobs they didn't realize all the other jobs they would create... all government jobs of course... more police needed, Judges, any courtroom job, parole & probation get the picture. Well i guess we are stuck with ECI but let the drug runners get back to there home town not ours. Don't seem right but can Wicomico keep paying for out of state drug runners. Maybe take there cash, drugs, guns, car, and buy them a one way bus ticket to there home town. Maybe they won't come back. Just an idea. Remember the old movies when the sheriff said you be out of town by sundown. Of course if I had my way they would be hanging from a tree.
ReplyDeleteLewis has been a profiler for decades. The only thing he knows how to do and teach others how to do. He has been an idiot since HS and continues to be the same. The deputies need to be in Salisbury and radiate out into the county. Just like you suggest. Of course don't forget, Shorty wants Salisbury to report to him. what a joke that would be!! Hope he's gone soon. Along with his kind of policing. Duncan's is much better.
ReplyDeleteWhich neighborhoods would you like them to patrol, Joe? Since there is a limited resources of deputies, troopers and police officers covering such a large county at any given time, would you suggest these officers patrol neighborhoods where there isn't crime, or focus on high crime areas. I bet I know the answer. Now, if they begin to focus their time and effort on the neighborhoods with high crime, which neighborhoods would they be? I know the answer to that question, too. Then I can see you and this blog complaining that the police officers in Wicomico County are profiling because they have concentrated their efforts in black neighborhoods. Suddenly your charge that police officers focus their efforts in high-crime neighborhoods, as you've done today, becomes a cry that police are profiling blacks in predominately black neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteBottomline is, you don't have a clue what you're talking about, and no matter what any official does, you'll always find something to bitch about. That's just who you are.
anonymous 11:53, it's interesting how your comment simply puts words into my mouth, please don't do that.
ReplyDeleteYou start out by saying which neighborhoods do I suggest they patrol. Wel, if you really read and understood the article you'd understand that it is my feeling that while officers are patrolling the Bypass and Rt 13, they're not patrolling neighborhoods, period. Mind you, I'm sure there are some officers patrolling some neighborhoods but the WCSO sould get off Rt 13 and the Bypass and get back to community policing instead.
I did NOT say they are only concentrating in only "black neighborhoods," perhaps you should actually READ the article instead of simply firing off a stupid comment.
You go on to say, "Suddenly your charge that police officers focus their efforts in high-crime neighborhoods, as you've done today, becomes a cry that police are profiling blacks in predominately black neighborhoods."
Now Folks, where did I ever make such a statement? It never happened nor did I ever suggest anything of the sort.
So now I'm clueless and I know nothing. Well, that's your opinion and you have every right to your opinion. However, clearly you never read the entire article and the only one clueless is YOU.
jeffery a, your comment was just too stupid to publish. If you'd like to send one in that shows you have some kind of education and none of that "ppl" crap I'll be happy to publish it. You're not text messaging or on Facebook. Act like you passed 5th grade and I'll publish your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times saw it several years ago. Seems to me it never stopped. I wonder how the states attorney feels about it.
ReplyDeleteThe Sheriffs Office has several patrol areas for their deputies. How many times a day do you thnk they got to Powellville, Willards,Nanticoke, Hebron, Quantico, and Sharptown. Not many unless you say the ones living in those towns ride through on their way to the office. I know for a fact that they patrol as close to the city as they can and even in the city more than they should
ReplyDeleteCommunity policing is nice, but risky when the bad guys are armed and you're not.
ReplyDeleteI live out-of-state and have a CCW permit.
I recently saw an old rollback truck with two individuals parked at the neighbor's house, and the two were looking around in the sheds, etc. The neighbor was not home.
We've had a rash of daytime burglaries in our area, and this fully fit the scenario. I called the local sheriff's office, but they were understaffed and slow to respond.
The two began to leave-- I put my gun in my belt and went out to stop them in the road and inquire as to who they were and what they were doing. I got information from them, and the time spent talking to them was enough to allow the deputy to get to the area and stop them just outside the neighborhood.
If I had not been armed, I would have been v-e-r-y hesitant to challenge them. It was somewhat dangerous anyway, but not nearly as much as it would have been otherwise.
This is a must-issue state, and many of us are armed. There is still crime, but much less, because burglars know they're risking their lives-- they don't do it nearly as often. They know we WILL shoot them.
When you say Duncan has a lot of work, "especially considering what the former chief left behind" I assume you are talking about Webster, not Barkley. Thought Barkley did a decent job with what he was handed.
ReplyDelete11:53 was predicting the future and your reaction to it, Joe.
ReplyDeleteSure wish I were good at fortune telling like that.
Maybe 11:53 can tell me whether I should buy a Lotto ticket.
tmills, good point. Yes, I meant Webster. Thought that was a given but you are right.
ReplyDeleteIs it true that the Sheriff's Departments in every County are there to serve the Court, and not sit on back roads trying to catch speeders? That has always been my understanding. Just asking.
ReplyDeleteWicomico county needs a curfew.
ReplyDeleteproactive policing? lmao get real Joe, none of our police departments do that. They all are into revenue generation! doesn't matter who's back they do it on. meanwhile the crime stats keep climbing! I feel real safe! NOT!
ReplyDeleteThe problem that sets up reactionary or response based police work vs. intervention police work is based on one thing "feet on the street"! With no solution to the decades old problem of understaffing changing in the foreseeable future the prospects of effective community based police work are grim. The destruction of our economy will take decades to recover from and the powers that control Maryland, as we have been reminded of recently, think the answer is subjecting the citizenry to indentured servitude while the outlaws rape and pillage!
ReplyDeleteJoe I agree with much of what you said. I see the comments and it's clear that many have no idea about how to effectively deploy manpower to create a proactive law enforcement environment. First, it's important to recognize that true proactive crime prevention cannot be measured. Reactive crime prevention can be measured because we can watch crime drop in an area that was already riddled with crime. If we wait until a neighborhood descends into a crime infested area - any efforts are reactive in nature.
ReplyDeleteToo often law enforcement is reactive. This can be changed without significant increases in manpower provided they have the framework of an effective plan in place. This plan is part of a law enforcement philosphy that embraces community based policing as it's foundation. NOT a program. A wholistic approach that is part of every decision made. The way you do business everyday. The current philosophy employed by The Sheriff's Office and the City of Salisbury is as follows. Road patrol handles calls as the come in. Contribute manpower as available to WBI as they are the ones who handle high profile cases and are in the position to make department heads look good (or bad as the case may be). Contribute personnel to the drug task force which typically yields enough revenue through siezures to support themselves financially. This is an antiquated philosophy that wastes manpower and fails to embrace the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
An effective, modern law enforcement philosophy embraces a variety of ideas from major adjustments in scheduling to re-aligning law enforcement objectives to be proactive at their very core. I could go on but you've heard it before from me in person as have many of our elected officials. Let me say that I have written grants years ago when the law enforcement community was required to implement community based policing in order to take advantage of federal money to hire more officers. I watched these programs have a profound impact on the target communities. Sadly, the law enforcement administrations failed to recognize the positive influence an all encompassing community based law enforcement philosophy would have on all neighborhoods. Largely because they would be unable to track results. Here we are 15 years later and many of our neighborhoods have descended to a level where it will cost 100 times more to bring back than had we just committed the resources to prevent them from becoming crime havens in the first place.
There are MORE than enough cops locally. What there are TOO MANY of is administration. Does anyone really care whether the cop doing the job is State, County, or City? No.
ReplyDeleteConsolidate all the overlap in management and taxpayers will see a ton of savings.
Maybe people would feel safer around here and criminals more scared to commit crimes if citizens could obtain CCW permits in Maryland. It is basically unobtainable for a law abididng citizen to get one in this state. I am originally from PA and it was simple as walking into your county courthouse and filling out papers paying a fee and walking out with one. Here it is a ridiculous amount of forms and also too expensive just to get denied. The Maryland state police being in charge of it is also a stupid idea.
ReplyDeleteI know many won't agree with my point of view, but I say if they are catching people on the by-pass, more than likely they were heading somewhere besides Wicomico County. While I believe that communities need to look after each other, they should look after themselves first. They need to patrol OUR communities and look out for the people who pay their salaries.
ReplyDeleteThe leadership at the sheriff department sound as bad as wcdc. And, so many people thought Lewis would be a better fit for wcdc. What a joke. Maybe the conty can switch the two department heads. The bottom line is, it is not safe on the streetmor inside the jail. Criminals are ruling this area, Thanks to politics and not the need of the employees/community members of Wicomico.
ReplyDeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteI work for WCSO and I have to hole heartily disagree with you. We do not have the manpower to spend time on the bypass as you are suggesting. I would say it is 1 to 5 percent of the time working is spent on the bypass.
Pointing at those arrests on the bypass, they do help Wicomico. One way you are forgetting is it gives a reputation to criminals to stay away from Wicomico. Think about this for a second. Would you go to OC and rob a business, heck no. You know you will bump into the OCPD in seconds. So criminals know that too.
I can attest over and over that we (WCOS) does not spend that much time at all on the bypass. Whoever is telling you this is mistaken.
2:13 You said "One way you are forgetting is it gives a reputation to criminals to stay away from Wicomico"
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case then it's not working out to well, is it?
Ever heard of community policing? that means getting your fat ass out fo your car and walking a beat! Get to know the people you are supposed to be protecting, finding out who are the good citizens and who are the criminals! Or would that make to much sense?
Wow
ReplyDeleteJoe I see things have changed here in Salisbury while I have been away. I will not disagree with you on certain points however lets clear some things up on Duncan. Duncan has given the Maryland State Police all part 1 crimes to investigate. That tells me she is really sharp or her detectives could not track an elephant in a snow storm. When she passed the buck to MSP they had multiple unsolved murders and shootings,robberies, etc.. They were taken a major butt whoopin to say the least. Now the burden falls on MSP very slick to pass the negative stats.
Very smart lady but to call her a good Commander is just a little premature. Lets talk her troops in a year.
Now as the by-pass is concerned all the drugs transported end up in America and Salisbury. If there is man power why would you not fish the honey hole. I would say 90% of deputies never see the by pass. It is a select few that get to work that assignment. With that said where is the harm.
We do need sub stations opened back up that is a no brainer. There are areas that just do not see MSP or County.
As for Mike Lewis I can say he will get my vote again. He is what he is. No one mis lead anyone. Mike Lewis is not perfect but he has done a pretty darn good job. He needs to get his people a darn disability package. The county council is a main hold up on that.
8:50 I agree with you. Crime stats are lower where carry is permitted by permit. most require classes to ensure proper handling. Delaware ans Virginia are good examples. Maryland shpuld wake up. I intend to shoot first and then call police for any home intrusion.
ReplyDelete10:52 you intend to shoot home invaders first andd call the police second. And you should. We had all better open our eyes and realize that it is NOT the job of the police to protect you and defend your home. The SCOTUS says specifically that. The motto "Protect and Serve" is just that. A motto. They have no obligation under the law to protect you and that's a good thing.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics/28scotus.html?_r=1
Because they can't. They can't be everywhere. The state and federal governments must stop hindering the ability of the people to defend themselves. What gives the government the authority to take away or hinder the right of self defense that is endowed upon us by God? We sit by and let this kind of non-sense happen. A little at a time they strip us of our rights.
8:18 - 2:13 You said "One way you are forgetting is it gives a reputation to criminals to stay away from Wicomico" (1)
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case then it's not working out to well, is it?Ever heard of community policing? (2) that means getting your fat ass out fo your car and walking a beat! (3) Get to know the people you are supposed to be protecting, finding out who are the good citizens and who are the criminals! (4) Or would that make to much sense? (5)
March 5, 2012 8:18 AM
1) We try and imagine if we didn't have the amount of effort we have what it would be like. There are a lot of factors that affect this, in law enforcement, we need more cops on the street, better cooperation, more communication, etc.
2) Yes I have heard of it and do it well.....That is why we are not on the bypass as much as this is leading you to believe.
3) My ass is not fat. Thanks for looking.
4) I do and I already know.
5)It does, my comment was in reference to the amount of time on the bypass.
1:54 please do tell me what neighborhood you police on foot. I would like to see that cause unless it's downtown. Where eveyone knows all the criminals hang out, it ain't happenin!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a cop policing on foot in many years and never seen one policing on foot around salisbury or wicomico. and the festival don't count!
So please inform me when and where so I can tell everyone what I saw and they can look at me like I'm an idiot!