In a strongly worded letter issued Monday, August 18, the Harford County Municipal Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 criticizes Aberdeen City Councilwoman Ruth Elliott for her recent suggestion to abolish the Aberdeen Police Department’s take home vehicle policy.
Not only does the FOP Lodge 128 refute Elliott’s suggestion as “disturbing,” “absurd” and an “attack” on the men and women of the Aberdeen Police Department, but the organization launches a vicious rebuttal of its own – asserting the city might be able to save money if it didn’t have to foot the bill for the councilwoman’s frequent out-of-town trips and legal expenses due to her ethics violations.
ABERDEEN, MD – It is disturbing that Aberdeen City Council President Ruth Elliott has again attacked the men and women of the Aberdeen Police Department. In a recent article in The Record (15 August 2008) she attacks how the officers handled a large fight near her home several weeks ago and uses that incident as a springboard to further attack the departments take home vehicle policy.
The take home vehicle policy for the Aberdeen Police Department is the norm, not the exception. It is a benefit that virtually every officer expects to have in this profession today and every other county agency has a take home benefit. It is hard enough for a small agency like Aberdeen to compete with larger agencies since most offer better pay and retirements. If Mrs. Elliott had her way, the take home vehicle policy would be abolished. The recruitment for Aberdeen Police would then be nil. Aberdeen has already lost dozens of officers in the last ten years to other agencies. Officers that Aberdeen trained and equipped and each time one leaves the agency Aberdeen then has to start over with a new officer. Not to mention the amount of experience the officer who leaves has compared with a new hire. Mrs. Elliott goes on in the article to talk about officers responding off duty to emergency calls and that if the city gives them a car then they should be called in. One glaring issue with this thought process is how much that would cost the city in overtime by calling officers in for no reason. Make no mistake, if and when the need arises to have officers respond in for emergency issues the officers do, without hesitation, but the decision to call those officers in is and should be made by police personnel, not the City Council President. Mrs. Elliott also fails to point out the number of occasions that off duty officers respond to scenes to assist after hearing a call go out over the radio. Her other suggestion of pairing officers up is absurd as it cuts the number of patrols in half.
The citizens of Aberdeen like the low crime level Aberdeen is enjoying while surrounding areas are being hit hard. Cutting the patrols in half cannot have a positive impact on that.
Mrs. Elliott claims that she wants to save the City of Aberdeen money. Perhaps then she should refrain from trips to Ocean City with the Aberdeen taxpayers footing the bill or committing an ethics violation, of which she was reprimanded for and led to an unknown cost to the City for attorney’s fees.
The Harford County Municipal Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 realizes that Mrs. Elliott has a long negative history with the men and woman who serve and protect the citizens of Aberdeen and were not surprised by this latest attack.
Sincerely,
Jason Neidig
Acting President
go jason, i didnt vote for this gal
i wouldnt go to that gals house if she called 911 next time you go to OC lady pay your own damn way looser
did she spray paint the building???
I’m so happy I found your site. What sad, ignorant behavior from this Councilwoman. Our officers deserve more, it’s a shame she can’t seem to appreciate their work.
Great Article Mr. Acting President!
This woman is absolutely absurd. Her opinions (if they are actually hers) are never based on logic or fact….they are based entirely on what she perceives as the most politically expedient (if she even retains any perceptive ability!) But hey, the “good” citizens of Aberdeen seem to like these old folks on the Council. They keep votin’ em in, and they keep gettin’ the same……(nothing worth while)! Why do you think Aberdeen’s problems never seem to go away? (same old Council!)
The police department is not perfect in any way, shape or form….but for the most part, I believe they do their best with what they have to work with (resouces, etc.).
The the uninformed (or underinformed), Ruth’s simplistic ponderings may seem logical, but to the truly informed…..well that’s an entirely different story. Dumbed down citizenry making bad decisions at the voting booth certainly isn’t unique to Aberdeen. I mean…..George Bush was elected not once….but twice! How’s the old saying go……Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Good Night Dagger People!
Justin
Good Night Justine
…sleep tight in the knowledge that you wont have any tanks rolling through your part of town overnite, no kickes on the door at 2 am, and when you are at the supermarket you probably dont have to worrie too much about bomb vest wearing nutters taking the express to heaven with you in tow. Finally you still have the right to call Baby Bush an asswipe at will…yet you seem to think he is the anti christ…
Whats the real problem?
Go Dagger!
Council President Elliot, of which I’m no big fan, is entitled to her opinion, and as the saying goes opinions are like ******** everyone has one. This is her opinion and we live in a country where she can express her opinion and that’s fine. Council President Elliott does not set policy for the police department or other city agencies, thank God for that. Those that set policy should take the woman’s words with a grain of salt or two and those that set policy should have put a rest to the nonsense when she started it. Maybe they did, we don’t know because council minutes and work session minutes are NOT kept up to date, but what minutes are available show that she’s been beating this issue since January. It also appears that Mrs. Elliott likes to express her displeasure with the police department on a whole any chance that she gets. Could this ill will go back to the days when Whitey Elliott ran the department and was replaced? Could this go back to the days of the Jolly era when Mrs. Elliott did expose some very questionable practices that were taking place? (Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then) Could this go back to a personal issue with police personnel that one of her family members had contact with?
I bring up these questions because it is apparent that Council President Elliott, elected by the townspeople, is grinding a personal ax and doesn’t have the city of Aberdeen’s best interest in mind.
As a layperson and a resident I’ll throw my opinion out there. I think that the men and women of the Aberdeen Police Department do a fine job and I think that the take home car issue is a perk to offset their lower salaries as compared to the Sheriff’s Department. I like seeing police cars parked on the street, it gives a feeling of extra security, that a professional police officer is around and that goes for the Havre De Grace, Cecil County Sheriff’s Department car, Maryland State Police car in town and the unmarked but obvious police cars that also are parked in town. I don’t mind seeing Aberdeen cars outside of town in Harford or Cecil County because I view those officers as professional police that would assist in an emergency regardless of juridiction. If Mrs. Elliott were to give each officer a 6 or 7 thousand dollar raise to supplement that perk, that benefit, well then the cars could stay parked at the station.
2 person cars are fine but that means hiring the second officers to fill the seats in the car. I don’t know what a new police officer would cost the town but I’m sure adding 20 or so would cost a lot!
I’m also aware that the police department has called in officers from home during emergency conditions and I’m sure that there is a protocol for that. Mr. Neidig brings up a good point about overtime, but Mrs. Elliott must remember that police officers have lives too. I don’t think it would be wise to call in Officer X for a street fight after Officer X has worked the past 5 days and sat down to some crabs and a beer, but if Officer X is driving to the station and has their radio on and hears an emergency call I’d expect Officer X to chime in and respond, just as I believe that the Cecil County or Havre De Grace cop would jump out of his car to assist an Aberdeen officer who was in distress.
If Mrs. Elliott is all about saving taxpayer money then why didn’t she pitch a fit when 10K was spent on new office furniture for the current administration? Or why hasn’t she sought to lower the trash sticker fees? Why hasn’t she blasted Mr. Hess regarding his obstruction to the hotel tax (it would raise the fee of the room about a dollar per night)? If she is going to champion an issue why doesn’t she make it a worthwhile issue that benefits ALL of the citizens instead of punishing officers that are underpaid, under appreciated (by some), and apparently under funded in their pensions?
I encourage all Aberdeen citizens to attend the council meetings. Let the council know what you think. They are grossly underattended as of now. Thank you all for showing your support to the police.
Well I suppose we can give her credit for the ability to ”read” but beyond that it’s very doubtfull it’s her idea.since such and article was printed in the baltimore sun. pertaining to other agency’s.
maybe we should advise her the crime rate is up 6% percent in harford county.
This issue, and just about any other addressed by this sorry excuse for a Councilperson, reflect on how little she understands about how government should work. As Moyor her first priority was to enhance the family image. As Councilperson, her primary objective was to get reelected. I have been in the workplace for a lot of years and she is the only person with whom I absolutely could not work. The Mayor referred to her as having a cognitive disability. I personally thought that it was too kind to give her that much credit. This City has managed to get the government it deserves and if more people don’t follow Sandi’s advice and get involved this will become the norm.
Our police force is fantastic, warts, bruises and all! I would stack them up against any force anywhere for their ability to get the job done. In spite of the ramblings of the former “professionals” who give Ms. Elliot her talking points, the leadership and professionalism of this force is number 1. They desreve better than the ramblings of this mad woman.
I hope the politicians who read the dagger please keep in mind that during these tough economic times when looking to save money in either local or state budgets they leave the law enforcement budgets and perks alone. This article and the article about Sgt. Perry’s widow and the lack of state funding for the college fund for fallen officers children in my mind send a message to LEOs that the politicians and the public do not appreciate their service and all they sacrifice to protect our communities.
I seem to remember Councilwoman Elliott personally coming to the defense of an officer who had a take home car and refused to come in when he was called. So I would question her motives here.
Greeting’s Dave bump’s bruises & abrasions. but ”warts” ?
Gary owen & semper fi.
Talking to a co-worker about this (actually had the article from the Record) and she said what about vacation and sick leave, does Rith want to get rid of that too? Should the Aberdeen taxpayers be paying for an officer to be off on vacation with family at some ranch in Wyoming? Hey Ruth, what’s your take on an officer that isn’t felling well, do they get paid time off for sick leave? If the get paid time for sick leave wouldn’t that be a waste of taxpayer’s money to pay for a cop who is stretched out on the sofa watching Bonanaza reruns on TVLand with a 100 degree temperature?
This may seem a little outrageous because we, the general public, understand that paid vacation and paid sick leave are benefits that come with the job, it’s what attracts good people for the job and the take home car is just another benefit that can be offered. I suppose that the officers could go to work for Baltimore County and make twenty thousand more per year, have a good retirement program, and not have a take home car. I suppose that Aberdeen could offer the same pay and benefits as Baltimore County at a huge cost to the taxpayers just so the Aberdeen police officers don’t drive their squad cars home.
On the same note, there is an APD officer that lives in town and I’ve seen him washing his APD car and waxing it at his house with what I would imagine is his own water, his own wax, and his own supplies on his own time. Car looks very professional, nice image, and I’m sure that the pride that the officer has compensates him because you know he’s not getting paid for the time to take care of the car, wait, that’s right, I’m sure part of the take home deal is that you take care of the car too!
Well, think what you will about Ruth, but the woman has the courage to question a sacred cow. The public and politicians are always scared to do anything to the fire or police services when it comes to budgets and financing. But the fact is, the police department is the largest output of the city’s tax revenue. I commend her for trying to save sometax payers money. Hey, I have no problem with police officers going to and from work in a take home car. It’s the same as my uncle who’s a plumber. He gets to take a company truck home every night from the job site.
But the difference is, my uncle’s company is a “real world” business that does not have unlimited funds, so he is not allowed to run daily errands all over town because of the wear and tear on company vehicles and he’s sure as hell ain’t allowed to use company gas for personal use.
Now how is it fair that police officers get to use city police cars to drive around and to personal errands with the city paying the gas? Seriously, If I have to pay 3.50 a gallon then THEY have to pay 3.50 a gallon.
Police officers have a noble position in society and they should be treated with respect, but no more than teachers, doctors, nurses etc….no more blue collar working class hero bullshit image that society gives cops. If they think their job is so dangerous….than get another job.
They get a decent wage for the level of education that they have…plus health benefits……….and don’t forget……a take home car!
they dont want DIFFERENT JOBS CUZ THEY THINK THEY ARE DANGEROUS, WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY “LEVEL OF EDUCATION” AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEIR INSURANCE IS LIKE, AND SO WHAT THEY HAVE A TAKE HOME CAR I FEEL SAFER SEEING THAT, AND NOT ALL OF THEM WANT TO DRIVE THERE CARS AROUND ON THEIR DAYS OFF THE ONES THAT DO ARE USUALLY NEW AND PROUD. I WORK AT A HOPSITAL IM GOING FOR NURSING AND I WOULDNT PUT MYSELF UP THEIR WITH POLICE. NO MORE BLUE COLLAR WORKING CLASS BULL SHIT IMAGE, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THERE JOB IS LIKE
I cannot believe the post above.
“working class hero bullshit image that society gives cops. If they think their job is so dangerous….than get another job.
They get a decent wage for the level of education that they have…plus health benefits……….and don’t forget……a take home car!”
You have to be kidding me? Hero bull*(&)? They ARE HEROs! They put their life on the line each and every day for all of us so we may sleep easy. The worst comment was their “level of education”. What are you trying to say here? Most have degrees and if not, they have endless hours of training which converts to college credits. Let me tell you from someone who knows (a wife of a law enforcement officer), these people wear many, many hats in this profession.
They deserve what they have and I for one am very proud!
Yes they are heroes…..it takes a special kind of person to point a radar gun at people as they drive their cars to and from work…….I mean…total gut check there.
I think it is good that there is a take home policy for the officers in this state the only thing that I have noticed is not morally correct is that alot of them use the cars as a personel vehical to take their kids to Brusters Ice Cream and to the Store. To me wether on duty or off duty this should not be allowed and as i found out on the states Web page under use of emergency vehicals is illeagle., as for the part of you seeing the officer washing and waxing the unit yes that is his/ her responsiblity as said in the same law. which is wrong he should not have to provide for the up keep of a government owned car. the only reason i am against our finest useing the vehical to do errands like I mentioned is the minute you or I want to do a ride along we have to sign a waver saying that we wont sue the government but an officer can put his familymember in the car anytime and do what he wants and the minute something goes wrong we the tax payer have to pay for a wrongfull death suet.
Well said Elaina! The Other Side and brokenbone are obviously really in the know as can be attested from their well thought out comments. As fro me and my house I’d rather have one of the cops, past or present taking care of business than these two. As most know I am quite familiar with the Aberdeen police. The average level of education would astound most folk. These guys and gals are very smart and savvy. Knock the cars if you want to stay on the good side of Ms. Elliot, but don’t denigrate them on their ability or skill. The comment about getting another job is just puerile and deserves nothing but scorn. The thread of this blog, however, is to point out what an idiot that demented old council person really is.
how many wrongful death suits have been filed for the deaths of aberdeen officers’ friends or family members while riding in a take-home car?
HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE THERE BEEN?
Brokenbone did you’ get a ticket ? they do work very’ hard to get a higher education. it leads to a better promotion. I’am sure mr denu will be a long shortly to explain how the system work’s. I’am more than willing to pay for police & fire service’s.
I’am not in the habit of speeding or breaking the law. my health is not good anymore so it’s nice to know they will be there if needed. and that’s 24/7 holiday’s included.
Wow brokenbone, get any tickets lately? It’s obvious to me that you and the other side have some personal issues with law enforcement. I am an Aberdeen Officer with a Bachelor’s Degree and am on my way to my Master’s. Not to mention, as Mrs. Denu pointed out, the countless hours sopent in training. After all to enforce the laws you have to know the laws. Many people think they know the law but very few really do and it’s not something you learn overnight. As for the danger aspect, I for one couldn’t do a desk job so I like the danger aspect. Most cops do, but make no mistake it’s not just about pointing a radar gun at traffic like my apparently well ticketed friend brokenbone thinks. Police are about the only professionals that have a large number of people who don’t like them just because they’re cops. I get out of my car and walk through areas in the dark of night that most people wouldn’t even drive through in broad daylight with your doors locked. Somebody has to do it and that’s our job. Part of our job is we get this benefit called a take home car. The other side to it says that if she has to pay $3.50 for a gallon of gas then so should we. Well I say to you, if you want a take home car then become a cop. I don’t complain about a doctor/dentist getting free or highly discounted health procedures from co-workers, or the retail employee getting their employee discounts. Every job has some kind of perk. If you want a different perk, get a different job.
As a very important aside, of all the taxes you pay our fine comptroller, only about 4% goes to public safety for the State of Maryland. I’ve got no problem paying that 4% of my taxes that go to the very purpose for which man formed government in the first place.
What percentage of that 4% goes to take-home cars? It’s well-worth the added protection of seeing the officer on the road or in the community.
I don’t know the percentage of the budget take-home police cars consumes in Aberdeen, but the state sure makes it one of the best bangs for our buck.
TO the other side:
I am personally offended and hurt because obviously you have neither been related to a law enforcement officer or even had them as personal friends. Aberdeen officers are REQUIRED to be ready to assist if the need arrives when they are in their car be it on or off duty. They do have policies regarding the use of the cars off duty. I truly hope that you never have to actually experience them being a hero on or off duty to you by saving your life. Im really glad you are the judge as to how well educated they are.
firefighter-the law you are referring to is that it is illegal to use the lights and sirans. Obviously you didnt do your research either. Also, the family is covered under the same “waiver” type paper you sign. It is clearly stated that the city is not responsible should something occur. If you have proof that a wrongful death suit was ever filed please share.
All the other surrounding agencies with take home cars do the same thing. Aberdeen is not the exception. People please do your research before spouting out things you dont know a darn thing about.
Looking back through the minutes that are provided (note currently through June) it appears that Mrs. Elliott was hot on police cars about the size of them (shot down by the mayor himself) and the take home policy. I also noted that she didn’t see the need for upgrades to the DPW workers locker rooms but noticed that she didn’t protest the “Summer Retreat” (free trip the taxpayers dime). What about 10K spent on new furniture for this administration? Fiscally responsible when it suits her agenda.
ok to get this out of the way , i am not a fan of ruths either. but i agree i dont think the officers should have a take home vehicle neither should the county police. fi they get called in for an emergency they can drive their personal vehicles to the station pick up a patrol car and respond, just like the volunteer firemen do. i dont see them with take home fire trucks but yet the respond for a call, and i dont see them diving the family around in an emergency vehicle. besides not all officers live within town limits i know for a fact they live in other areas like riverside as i see a aberdeen police car parked there everyday. also some have said that having a police car parked on the street makes them feel safe, not me. i have seen what a police car being parked on a residential street does, nothing. i have seen drug dealers lean on the police car ( a harford co sheriffs car )while dealing it didnt deter them. besides having a take home car just means the city has to buy twice as many cars. and as for losing officers to another department after training make them sign a contract saying they must serve 5 yrs after receiving training from the town, and if they wish to leave early breaking the contract have them pay back for all the training and equipment.
WHERE WOULD HCSO AND APD PARK ALL THE CARS?
ok ced…so when theres a fight call in front of your house and theres 4 officers with about 15 other people there fighting I hope nothing happens in the 20+ minutes it takes for an officer to drive to the station, pick up keys, get all his gear in the car and respond. Maybe you will feel safer then.
Why not go to all unmarked cars. I’m sure that the stripes and decals cost money on the marked ones. This way money will be saved and Ruth won’t get all flustered because some cop stopped at daycare to pick up their child and stopped for ice cream on the way home because little Jimmy was a good boy and didn’t eat paste.
How about take home cars for police related business only. I’m sure that the officers get called in for court on their off time or when they work extra duty like Ripken Stadium (Is Ruth spearheading a change in the stadium deal from the Wilson/ Dacey era that basically leaves Aberdeen holding the bag and limits Aberdeen’s profit sharing).
Better yet, why not have the officers all take off on the same day and rely on the HCSD for call response. Then we’ll see just how much Madam President and the rest of the police bashers feel about our police force.
Wow…I’ll have to strongly disagree with Ruth on this and with some others whom have posted as well.
The focus here is take home cars and not education, etc. which some have chosen to address. So let me educate some of you on the issue here.
Take home cars were proffered to the City Manager many years ago in several meaningful layers and then adopted after careful consideration of the realities.
1. Take home cars were demonstarted to last two times ( or more ) longer than “pool cars”. So the idea that we were buying more cars becomes moot, as we used to buy less cars, but twice as fast. Get it?
2. Take home cars issued to officers eligable under the policy, more than doubled the number of prepared officers in a much more expediant fashion when called in for emergent situations. Simple!
3. The increased number of police vehicles in a geographic area provides a greater level of deterance, whether they are State, County, City etc. Facts which are supported by credible studies and not the opinion or single observation of a blogger.
4. The past and present pay/benefits for Aberdeen Police Officers are less than those of our direct competitors and that of the current market. This benefit was considered and implemented in part, to level officers salaries to that of their counterparts, who recently were shown to effect less work product per capita. Equal Work for Equal Pay Comes to Mind Here!
These core issues were the greater part of the City’s leaders decision to adopt and keep this policy/benefit, but in addition it impacted many other areas such as recruiting and retention which have untold benefits, as many other have cited here. The bottom line here is that this policy makes sound long term fiscal sense all aound.
Next, there is a policy that guides take home cars and officers do only drive them to and from work, however they may transport others while doing so. The exception is those officers who live in City limits.
Let us not forget what got us to the issue of “let’s give the Citizens a tax break”. It is campaigning as soon as one is elected and poor long term planning. We live fiscal year to fiscal year, keeping costs low and services high while borrowing from banks and the BACKS of the EMPLOYEES!
Many true efficiencies are there to be found and it’s not this.
Fraternally Yours…
Romans 3:10-18
Very well put Rick thanks for sharing from the “insider” view.
thanks for clearing the use of take home cars up Rich so Sandi and i were both right and to let all know I am not against the take home car just the part of transporting family members in it and putting them in harms way with out realizing it .I am sure some of use saw the Americas most wanted episode were an off duty officer used a take home car to go to the store for something and got out of the car only to be fried on by the armed robber coming out of the store who thought he was a responding officer. I know if I was an officer that I could never live with myself if a family member got injured do to my not thinking right, so Im just asking them to think before they do this, because you never know what is around the corner. My causin was a law enforcement officer in at the time a quiet little town in up state NY he was performing a routine draffic stop when the dispatcher advised him that the guy had just robbed the local gas station and is armed with a hand gun.
Its very true that a one driver vehicle is more dependable. Take home cars are safer as the officer is acclimitated to the vehicle, knows its quirks and is comfortable with them. The amount of junk that cops have to load and unload if using pool cars also means less time on the street and distraction, disorginazation to them. Take home cars are good…for Aberdeen, HdG if they dont already…and any department.
Go Dagger !
Rick? Funny. Turning on your buddy Ruth now? Keep flip flopping we’ll all keep that in mind “if” you ever try to run for office again.
You also spent alot of time talking trash about the APD and cheif in the past blogs. Maybe your opinion doesn’t matter once again.
For God sake Sad, give it a rest, will you? Nobody is turning on anyone. Everyone has a right to their opinion. My husband just happens to disagree with Mrs. Elliott in this case. He gave examples and truthful information in response. No trash talk, just the truth.
I AGREE WHAT SAD, IS SAD, PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO AN OPINION, AND JSUT BECAUSE SOME HAS ESTABLISHED SIDES OR BACKS SOMEONE THEY ARENT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING.
Sad, as you are, Show me or the “we’s” one instance where I proclaimed Mrs. Elliott to be my “friend” Although she and I have had a congenial relationship, our ideas are far apart. on many issues.
Never a flip flop here, what you see is what you get!
If my expertise doesn’t matter than why do so many ask? Why are things at APD so shaken up as always?
Loved hearing from you once again.
Rick,
Those close to the last election know very well your allignment with Ruth.
I haven’t seen anyone asking you for any “expert” advise. By the way how do you title yourself as “expert”? I get it Dagger expert.
You spent much time blogging on here about your fellow APD ( many of which don’t have any respect for you). Also the cheif. Don’t have time to copy and paste sorry.
The least we can do give the denu’s’ respect for useing the term ”mrs” and He”MR” Denu the respect of answering’ questions about the police department of which he was very much a part of.
it is a free forum and I’am sure others would like to discuss police issue’s etc. with some one who is willing too speak about it in and open forum.
I’am inclined to believe mr denu brought discipline & respect to his department . I know he campaigned for the f.o.p. which I’am sure would have benefited the department as well.but that is all forgotten. now that is SAD.
mr. vet
Sad, although I agree and disagree with what Mr. Denu brings fourth from time to time, one thing is for sure…he is a well educated man who was a police officer and knows the ins and outs. I have never known him to be a “friend” of Ruth Elliott’s. I believe Rick will almost always stick up for the FOP and police in general, as he should. As for his campaign, Rick would be a great Council persons. Very knowledgeable and again, knows the rights and wrongs of City Hall. Mr. Denu took on former Mayor Wilson a few years back as Vice President of the FOP and did a great job. Rick for the most part is on “target” and I always will listen to what he has to say. I for one, hope the man does run for Council in 2009.
Good morning all!
Just a reminder that this thread is about a Council woman, who has always had a bone for the Aberdeen Police Department. She is clueless and needs to be exposed for her sheer ignorance, if the City is ever going to go anywhere. This is not about Rick Denu, Dave Yensan, Richie C., Wayne Daugherty or any other personality whom you and I may love or hate. It’s about Ruth Elliot, a vicious and demented woman who has been granted way too much power.
I think it would be interesting take her logic a step further. If her understanding of law enforcement and public safety includes the idea of having a few pool cars and putting two officers in each can be considered, then we could save twice as much by putting 4 officers in one car and getting rid of the rest. Now take it a step further, just by police vans and we can have 12 officers in each car! My God, why not buy a Greyhound bus and put the entire force in it?
The facts of take home cars have been shown adequately above so we don’t need to go there, but the one absolute fact that we did find over the last several years, is that the maintenance costs have gone down. When the officer is assigned the car it is his or her responsibility to see to it that the vehicle is kept clean and waxed as well as seeing to it that all fluid levels are maintained. The vehicles are also in for scheduled maintenance because one person is responsible.
Jason began this by taking this woman to task for using the Police Department as her personal whipping boy. No matter who she befriends at any time, it is only to use him or her. Her hatred of this department goes way back to the days when a few officers caught her doing some wrong. She has never gotten over it.
What a great example of what a Council President should be. I believe Art Helton had better get busy and do his job as Mayor to bring her back under control.
Rick- You know I highly respect you and you are dead on.
People this guy may be a personal friend of ruth elliot’s (though ive never got that from him) BUT Ive personally seen Rick go to the wall so to speak for the PD. He was the freaking VP for the FOP. He has ALWAYS disagreed with Ruth on police matters because for some reason she is a police hater. But let me add this. If anyone has any proof that Ms Elliot is trustworthy or even did any good for the PD please bring it out. She has always wanted to cut from them first. But God knows, if they took away the summer retreat or the trips to wherever, she be the first to be mad.
Dave-get off your high horse about Bennett and Art Helton. It doesnt matter what you think but aparently Bennett is there because the majority wanted him to be. And thankfully Fred isnt still in office, he doesnt even live in Aberdeen anymore. I wont air his dirty laundry but Im glad he got out before people could see his true colors.
All I know is since a state trooper moved in near my house and started parking his take-home marked car out on the curb, the reduction of cars flying the street has been noticeable. I would rather my tax dollars go to city cops having their cars at home than the money it’s bound to waste by blowing it on streaming publicity videos on a still-ineffective website or spending $10k to have the county televise city council meetings (check out the notes on page 4).
Hey guys, I have a video camera and know of a website where you can host the videos. Of course, I also know a few guys that would be able to provide intriguing play-by-play…
Way to go sandy. I have been accused of ” knowing” rick denu. which is not true. I know of him’ I saw him working as a police officer in some not so nice area’s. speaking to the people who he had contacted. they were impressed with this well spoken officer. they were treated with respect.
gaining respect in low income areas. is very hard to do when your wearing a badge. it just seem’s his name appears on the dagger frequently. on the down side. he certainly tried to help others by campaigning for the f.o.p.
Gee Sandy now it’s about Fred! I don’t even have a horse and with my aging body I would need a low one. The majority did vote for Bennett and God bless him, but he is beholden to Helton and that is where the power lies in Aberdeen today.
I concur with your opening thread, let someone bring out ANY pro FOP or APD activity on the part of Ms. Elliot. She noted at an inspection that we don’t need new cars since the old ones are so “nice and shiny.” Ask JR what we found in his car during that particular inspection.
ok if take home cars deter crime ( not ), saves money ( doubtful ) then i say the volunteer firemen each need a take home car. so when they respond leaving home and traveling to the fire station within minutes they can do so in a safe manor. but since that wont happen i well settle for new and more strict rules governing take home cars and police officers being on call 24/7 to respond to these fights.
abcdef- you obviously have done no research. There are reports and studies SHOWN that take home cars DO deter and DO save money. Police officers ARE on call 24/7. If you think differently you are sadly mistaken. I cant count how many times my husband has been woken up at 3am and told to come in for whatever reason, or told he has to stay over after a shift. Im sorry you are ignorant to the fact that the police do work 24/7. As for firefighters, there are some at AFD that actually do take cars,etc. They are volunteers so that kinda negates the idea of take homes for them.
Since volunteer firefighters are being brought into the mix, we can go there. Volunteer firefighters get a DISCOUNT on their property tax and they receive a pension after so many years. It’s not much but there is a little something. These are volunteers. The volunteer lunch lady doesn’t get a break on property tax and she doesn’t get a pension because she is a volunteer. Back to the volunteer firefighters that abcdef wants to bring up, how about this, police don’t get take home cars and get a property tax reduction and a better pension OR volunteer firefighters cease getting the property tax and pension benefits and the police will give up take home cars.
I wish to add, before the firefighters jump down my throat, that I think it is great that they get a property tax reduction and I think it’s great that they get some type of financial help when they’ve been volunteering for 25 years or so. My hat goes off the the volunteers that risk their lives just as my hat goes off to the paid police force and I think that cops should get every benefit that they can get from the cities and towns.
sandi where i used to live ( in aberdeen ) there lived a harford co sherriff he had a marked take home car that stayed at home for weeks at a time. across the street from him lived a family and they had drug activeity there day and night. i watched this occur for 2 years before i moved. the drug dealers were so ballsy that the would even lean on the police car while makin their deals, yet the calls to the aberdeen police and harford co went ignored so much for the studies and reports real life is a better teacher. another thing that bothers me is when i see police officers using their marked take home cars to drive their family members around to go shopping or other errands, to me that shows how inconsiderate they are towards me the tax payer and more importantly to their familes.
also how does being a volunteer who responds in minutes day or night negate the idea of having a take home car. i would think having a take home car with lights and sirens would help them arrive to the station to jump on the fire truck in a much safer and faster response. maybe we would be better off if we had a volunteer police force who drive their pov’s to the station to respond.
I LIKE SEEING THE OFFICERS OUT DRIVING BURNING MY TAX DOLLARS, WHEN DUTY OFFICERS ARENT AROUND THEY ARE, PEOPLE DONT SPEED THROUGH THE PARKING LOTS OF GROCERY STORES, PASS ME ON A DOUBLE LANE HIGHWAY, OR JUST PLAIN ACT STUPID.
Fear not, “Daggers!”
After a successful two week tour of Europe, Asia, and the sub-continent, I am maqking my triumphant return!
“Alphabet Soup”- your comparison of volunteer fire to police vis-a-vis a take home car policy is Apples to Oranges.
Look at it from a strict fiduciary mindset. By their very nature, VFDs are huge organizations, made up of hundreds of people who do not live and die for the big red ding-ding, but who, out of a sense of community, or adventure, or for the aforesaid pension and tax breaks, give up their own time while holding down full time jobs.
Ergo, when the bell rings at 10:30AM on a Tuesday you’ll get a half a dozen of those hearty souls on the rig and out the door. Where are the other 150 volunteers? Give them all take home cars, so they can drive home from Towson, jump into their little red ding-ding, run to the station and jump on the big red ding-ding?
Specious.
Who’s popping for those 150 take home firemobiles? This is a volunteer organization. You, Lieutenant Caffey? You, Weinberg?
For the the people who question take home cars for police officers…one town you might find their take home car policy outrageous: Perryville PD
first of all people
SO WHAT IF THEY LIVE 2MINS AWAY AND HAVE A TAKE HOME CAR SO WHAT IF THEY ARE OFF DUTY AND LIVE IN OR OUTTA TOWN AND USING THERE CARS SO WHAT MRS ELLIOT DID WE QUESTION WHY WE PAID FOR YOUR FAT ASS TO GO TO OCEAN CITY!!!! NO DO YOU TAKE A BULLET FOR THE CITIZENS NO YOU SIT IN A CHAIR IN PUSH PAPERS AND WRITE A BUNCH OF CRAP SO THEN THE LAW BREAKERS WRITE AN EDITORAL IN THE PAPER LIKE THEY JUST DID I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH. YOU WANT TO SAVE SOME MONEY HAVE CAL COME OUTTA HIS POCKET AND PAY FOR HIS OWN SHIT. HOW BOUT WE SEARCH YOUR FREAKIN HOUSE AND SEE WHAT ELSE THE TAX PAYERS OF ABERDEEN HAVE PAID FOR YOU. I WOULD GLADLY DONATE MONEY EACH MONTH HELL I WOULD VOLUNTEER TO ANSWER ALL THE DUMB QUESTION CALLERS THAT CALL 911, JUST SO THEY CAN DRIVE THERE CARS HOME. THERES A BALTIMORE COUNTY POLICE OFFICER WHO LIVES DOWN THE STREET FROM MY MOM AND ROBIN HOOD ROAD HAS LESS SPEEDERS. MY DAD BROUGHT HIS CAR HOME I CAN REMEMBER MANY TIMES WAITING FOR HIM AT GAMES AND HE WAS LATE (OFF DUTY) AND RESPONDED TO BACK UP HIS FELLOW OFFICERS SO FOR ALL YOU ASSHOLES BITCHING ABOUT HOW THEY DONT RESPOND WHEN THERE OFF OR DO THINGS WHEN THERE OFF AND IN THOSE SQUADS CARS YOUR WRONG YOU AND RUTH ELLIOT CAN SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS CUZ THATS WHAT YOU ARE AN ASS I HAVE MANY OF TIMES SEEN ABERDEEN OFF DUTY OFFICERS YANK YOU DISORDERLY PEOPLE UP EVEN STOP TO HELP AN OFFICER IN A FIGHT OFF DUTY WITH HIS FAMILY THERE!! SO GROW SOME BALLS RUTH AND ALL YOU JERKS WHO AGREE WITH HER MAYBE GO PICK UP SOME TRASH OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RECYCLE IT AND DONATE IT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WAY IT WONT TAKE FROM YOUR OCEAN CITY VACATIONS AND BET YOUR DOLLAR I WILL BE AT YOUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING!~!!
I agree with the police take home policy in general, but the devil is in the details. I know one (not int his area) who uses his official car and taxpayer gas to go to and from his former residence – a two hour drive each way – to pick up and return his children for visitation every weekend. Why shoud taxpayers bear this burden?
Take home cars are a perk of the job, because Offciers get paid like shit and have to deal with people that others are affraid of. Stop bitching and become a cop and maybe you can get a car too. Take home cars stop crime in neighborhoods, and when your in that car you have to be ready to take a calls. SO I say OLD ASS WOMEN GO POUND SAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The FOP letter and some angry citizens will be a part of tonight’s Council meeting. Additionally Councilman Hiob is introducing 4 amendments to the Town House bill. The bill, as written is badly flawed and can be called racist and elitist if we want to be nice. The current housing stock in Aberdeen is declining in value and the “planners” want to develop a Todd Lakes area! Please come out and support Mike Hiob tonight.
Nice job Mr. President.
One bad marine, your arrogance is showing. not a good trait for a police officer it allow’s your temper to over ride your intelligence’Bad is out there. and he deserves respect because he is dangerous.
I think it’s apparent you have never met him. and hopefully you never will. a pscho kill’s with no remorse. I don’t expect you to ”fear” bad but just a little respect can go a long way.
something that has to be learned the hard way. been there & done that.
Semper -fi
Any talk of this at the recent council session? They don’t post minutes in a timely fashion and those that can’t make meetings are left in the dark or have to hear the latest from someone on the street.
It’s looks like this issue is getting state and national attention:
http://www.fop.net/servlet/display/news_article?id=986&XSL=xsl_pages%2fpublic_news_individual.xsl&nocache=20751869
and
http://www.mdstatefop.org/
In fact, you might noticed several Dagger articles gracing the MD FOP web site.
Its good to see the 4th branch of govt, (the press), hard at work and being received loud and clear.
Good work to all of you at the Dagger and to the fantastic citizens who express their concerns in the interests and issues that affect them.
Silence is NOT golden !
Go Dagger !
TO ABCDEF~
YOUR A CRACKHEAD. THERE ARE PLENTY OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN WHO ARE ALSO COPS SO I WOULD WATCH WHAT TREE YOUR BARKIN UP BUDDY AND BE A REAL MAN AND CALL THE POLICE IF YOU SEE DRUG ACTIVITY. A NEIGHBORING POLICE OFFICER MAY/CAN ASSIST YOU BUT GETTING DIRECTLY INVOLVED WILL RESULT IN HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN DIRECT HARM. RETARD, SEE, MY HOUSE GOT SHOT UP BECAUSE MY DAD IS THAT HARFORD COUNTY DEPUTY YOU WERE BASHING ABOUT HAVING A TAKE HOME CAR, SEE HE TRIED TO HELP MY NEIGHBORS AND GET RID OF TRASH BUT THEN THEY SHOT UP MY HOUSE FOOL, MY BEDROOM WINDOW TO BE EXACT. AND GUESS WHAT I WAS INCHES FROM IT WHEN IT HAPPENED. SO TRY THOSE PANTS ON BIG BOY AND GO RIDE YOUR LIL FIRETRUCK AND I TOO WAS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUT NEVER BASHED POLICE NOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEN I LEFT. YOU HAVE A LOT OF BALLS BUDDY. GO BUY YOURSELF A LIL RED AND BLUE FLASHING LIGHT AND PUT ON TOP YOUR CAR AND USE IT WHEN YOU GO TO THE FIRE HOUSE OH AND DONT FORGET THE SERINS TOO. SEND ME YOUR GAS BILL IF IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL ALL BETTER
So what’s the latest? Has the Ruthinator gotten the cars turned in? For that matter, has she done anything? For that matter, has she ever done anything? This is one useless piece of humanity!
Is this necessary? WWJS (the s for say). I don’t think so and you are what? A minister? I think your opinion is your own and probably makes sense (in this case), but why all the nasty talk toward another human being? Mr. Yensan, could you give your list of “done anything” when you were on council? Just for future reference.
Wow BIC….you serious?….I know for the people around town, and the citizens that usually don’t matter, Dave Yensan’s list would be enormous. You can’t take that away from him.
Well, what is this list?
He enabled the children to come out and play every Friday night in the Church Green neighborhood while they held prayer and singing to take the corner back from drug dealers….they meet much opposition at first with things being thrown at them and dealers threatening them.
He took the time to meet us and listen to us and allowed us to express our issues and problems with the neighborhood and the drug and gang activity. This is something no one ever took the time to do. Dispite the disagreement over the tactics used by Simmons and the then current council, our neighborhood had fewer problems and the drug dealers were going away.
Mr Yensan is an honest, compasionate person and whenever I had a concern or needed help he was always there.
Sad, thank you for this list. You mentioned the “disagreement over the tactics used by Simmons and the then current council”; what did you disagree with and how do you think they could have handled things differently? Yensan was a member of the “then current council”.
I understand you saying he is a compassionate man, but does he need to resort to the slander talk when he is opposing another council member? I have seen many times when he is there is an opposing opinion to his, he throws these tantrums and resorts to nasty talk. Is that necessary?
I’m not gonna debate this man with you BIC….he’s as fine as they come. I must say I have an appreciation for people that tells it like it is. I wouldn’t call it slander more like just truth.
How defensive? Not a debate sad, just asking what he has done that the list would be so long from the citizens. We are all adults here, you made a comment and all I did was ask you to back that up. This is what communication is all about. A two way street. As I mentioned before, the information and this list is for future reference. A little paranoid? Perhaps I am looking to see his credentials for the next election. If he is running as the rumor goes.
As far as you appreciating when people “tells it like it is”. Is it that you can only appreciate telling it like it is when they are talking about your opinion or your fondness of the person. I recall you all over another candidate and thereafter when they only did speak the truth! Situational ethics at its best, Sad.
this debate seem’s to stem from the council of ruth elliot. I can remember when not many too many long ago’s. miss elliott campaigned for the east side of town( the other side of the track’s ) campaining for new side walk’s road repair etc.
I was’nt liveing in that area at the time.the council at that time were not to concerend about the poor side of town. but mrs elliot got the work done.
Ruth was a first in showing her concern for this part of town. just some credit where it’s due.
Police officers are taxpayers too.
i will drive all over aberdeen and remove everyone of ruth elliotts signs and stick them all in her yard, she can vote for herself. i will gladly bring you a list of bills that the aberdeen police dept men and women pay, ruth wouldnt know she has the town pay for her food tab, maybe we could pay for her to go to weight watchers. another thing, id love to see her try to pocket page 911, does she leave her family for AN emergency because someone thinks that she should be on call, would she do that???? another thing minor crime uh ok well 2years ago ruthie I helped get rid of drug invested non working loosers in my AREA guess thats minor crime, what about the fact that a yound lady who had been murder, her vehicle was dumped where i live to i guess this is minor crime. Listen you old bat, get lost. I dont want someone like you on council you will not have my vote, i will be out to meet you at the vfw and i will be bringing you a list of what the men and women pay for because surely its not just food. they need to fix your picture on the dagger press it makes me want to vomit to see your picture next to the aberdeen police emblem. i am so hurt and so angry by your actions and your words, you are old and obivously cant read and obviously dont give a damn, let something happen to you or your family and someone tell you its just minor crime. be glad the men and women are better than the words that come out of your mouth, one day you’ll need them and they will come because its their duty and they are better than the city pond scum that you are. have a safe and wonderful holiday i will enjoy voting for everyone else but you. what do you have to pay for id like to see your bills???? id like to compare since you think your better than the ones that protect you. VOTE RUTH ELLIOTT OUT OF CITY COUNCIL DONT ALLOW HER SIGNS IN YOUR YARD, DONT ALLOW SOME PUFFY NO NOTHING BACK IN COUNCIL. MAN IF ALL THE ABERDEEN POLICE DEPT HAS TO PAY FOR IS FOOD, THEY MUST BE FLYIN IN ON JETS, PIMPIN THE GOOD LIFE UH, LAST I SAW THEY LIVE NORMAL LIVE WITH EVERYONE ELSE IN TOWN WITH BILLS AND DEBT JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, SOME DONT OWN THEY RENT, THEY PUT KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE. THEY DONT MAKE WHAT PEOPLE THINK, IM SICK AND TIRED OF RUTH ELLIOTT AND HER NEVER ENDING MOUTH OF POLICE BASHING
It is now time to remove politics from policing. Simply put, eliminate the Aberdeen, Havre de Grace and Bel Air PD. Then, transfer all these fine men & women to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, which will convert to a Police Department without an elected Sheriff. Give all of these newcomers the better of the retirement plans so they are not penalized in the process.
We have all had just about enough of the Sheriff campaign crap to last a lifetime. Farewell to the political BS and gamesmanship that has made a giant mess. These two-bit, nobody elected officials of incorporated Harford County cities have once again reared their ugly heads, showing they should have less, not more power.
We need this matter to be put on a county referendum now!
The voters in the municipalities will not want to lose their own personal police departments and will get off their lazy butts to vote against any effort to make a county police department.