Morgan off base on Lewes police stance

Why I support Mr. Saliba and don’t support Mr. Morgan:

Mr. Saliba grew up here and understands our history, way of life, and traditions. His family has been big supporters of our community and its welfare. His father and Dr. Beebe didn’t have specialists to send us to. They just fixed us. His father has been a big part of helping our hospital develop into the health center it is now. Mr. Saliba sought out input from those who understand law enforcement issues. He will give a voice sorely needed to those who live on the beach along Bay Avenue and Cedar Street.

I will not vote for Mr. Morgan due to his misguided views about law enforcement. I relayed that to him the day he was politicking in West Lewes. I basically took issue on almost everything he said at the budget meeting regarding police operations. Here are some items I recall and my differences. He explained his concerns were budgetary. Fire rescue and law enforcement were never meant to be cost effective. If it is, there are true ethical concerns. The town always seems to have deep pockets when promoting the town. Maybe they should think of the good works the police do, like bike and pedestrian safety, property checks on vacant properties. Yes, the crime rate is down. That is a positive. They are doing something right. Then the comment he worked with some D.C. officers (in a controlled safe setting), so that certified him as well informed on law enforcement. Certainly city policing and suburban policing have different issues. However, mental illness, domestic complaints, and drug and alcohol problems are in all social environments. This world of “it’s all about me” and “all authority is questioned” makes people think they aren’t responsible for their actions. I think Mr. Morgan thinks if we could bring Andy and Barney back from the grave, they could handle Lewes with Barney’s single bullet. How about the drug bust on Second Street?

While on the subject of weapons. Officers are assigned their own weapon for many reasons. A couple are: maintenance, familiarity with how that weapon fires and works. Plus you can’t send officers out underequipped, ie taking a knife to a gunfight.

Officer safety. There are complaints two officers are dispatched to as SOP, because they are dangerous. Lewes was always a 24-hour department as long as I was on the street. Many departments used to go unmanned at midnight or 2 a.m. DSP and DBRA don’t have the manpower to constantly come for backup for Lewes, because one town father only thinks one officer is sufficient. The old saying one fight, one trooper no longer applies. Other departments would never turn their back on a brother or sister in trouble. He has no idea what it is like to be on a car stop or on a complaint at 2:30 and things go south on you, and your nearest backup is 10 minutes out. That is the longest 10 minutes in your life. Officer safety is paramount. I know we sign up for the risk just like our military, but all really want to go home at the end of our shift. I’m not piling on, but anybody who doesn’t understand the risk should have gone with Delmar’s chief last week. Our spouses know if a superior officer comes to the door, prepare yourself.

My last point. The police package on police cars. These cars take a beating because of the way we have to drive them. The engine is only one upgrade. They have special suspensions, officer-protective devices from disorderly prisoners, and I can’t even imagine the electrical upgrades they need now.  I know the trend now is to defund police. Sure, there are good and bad cops - doctors, lawyers and even ministers. People who actually read this, what price do you put on an officer’s life? You want to save a couple bucks? I have been told the percentage of the budget for public safety in Lewes is in line with several towns in the area.