Washington County Sheriff Sam Hill explained that the department
essentially functions as a small business that depends largely on fund
raising and state and federal grants to operate. Hill said that there is
a small county tax that covers the cost of the building and office
staff.
DIFFERENT TIME
Currently Warren contracts for 24 hours per week at a cost of $26.50 per
hour. Warren and Waitsfield are cross patrolled for 32 hours per week;
Warren's additional eight hours of patrol occur at a different time.
Hill said that the sheriff's department "is giving a good deal" to the
towns and that they "work hard to keep the town's rate low."
Warren resident Rudy Elliott asked Hill why the sheriffs are often
parked as opposed to active cruising. Hill said that there are different
types of patrol and oftentimes officers park because they've received
complaints from residents of various roads about speeding.
COST OF TRAINING
Select board member Ken Frey asked what residents could expect to gain
from spending an additional $30,000 per year to increase hours of
patrol. Hill said the cost of dispatch would certainly increase and
would require additional manpower, which is always in flux, he said.
"Law enforcement, in general, is having a hard time attracting people,"
Hill said, and the cost of training and employing additional officers
would increase; in addition, Hill said the department would likely have
to start offering a retirement plan, which also means increased costs.
Hill said that the town's primary law enforcement is the state police,
who are available to contract with at a cost of approximately $50 per
hour.
PROPERTY CRIMES
Select board member Anson Montgomery asked Hill what the town could do
to increase the effectiveness of patrol where the recent increase in
property crimes is concerned. Hill said that the officers "cannot do it
all on their own" and that the use of security cameras and residents'
ability to "be good witnesses" are a big help.
Warren resident Billy Brauer said that residents' frequent flashing of
their headlights to indicate the presence of a police officer
demonstrates that the sheriff's department "doesn't have the support of
the town," and that parked patrol cars stopping motorists for rolling
through a stop sign is a reflection of the town and is unfair.
Hill said the sheriff's department is "doing what we were contracted to
do," including patrol, sharing information, responding to complaints and
being visible throughout The Valley.
CONSTABLE FORCE
Warren resident Gene Bifano said that the town should consider a
constable force consisting of local officials that would allow for a
quicker, more immediate response to incidents and wouldn't cost the town
a lot of money.
"You're creating a barrier for a criminal to step over," Bifano said.
Sugarbush representative Margo Wade conveyed her appreciation, on behalf
of Sugarbush, to the officers for their coverage and asked about the
hours of patrol on the mountain given that several guests have
complained about getting stopped by sheriffs on their way into The
Valley.
"It's sort of a 'Welcome to The Valley; here's your ticket,'" Wade said,
and asked Hill if the department takes direction from the select board
regarding where they patrol and when. Hill said that their focus is
"keeping the highways safe" and that they often issue warnings.
NOT A MONEY-MAKING VENTURE
Select board chair Andy Cunningham said that the town pays for patrol,
traffic control and crime response, which, he said, "is, in large, what
we're getting." Hill said that law enforcement "is not a money-making
venture" and that the town receives approximately 40 percent of what
they pay, about $14,000 yearly, back in ticket revenue.
Newly elected Second Constable Jeff Campbell asked Hill about the
impending change in state statute that essentially eliminates the
constable's enforcement abilities without the required police academy
training.
"Even if we want the training, the Legislature won't pay for it,"
Campbell said.
Hill said he "would be more than willing to sit down" with the
constables to discuss and address issues concerning the change in
statute and told residents that constables across the state get together
annually for training.
Town officials and residents thanked the sheriff's department for
attending the forum and explaining how the town's contract works.
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