MIDWEEK UPDATE: SWH police chief sees a single force for southern MDI
SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Feb. 14, 2024 - Police Chief envisions Tremont as part of a new jurisdiction of law enforcement similar to the shared services in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert, he described to the select board last night.
He clarified some confusion in his earlier memo to the board saying he could staff this from his existing openings, two of which have been held in abeyance until union contracts are settled.
As a result Hall didn’t expect a major change to his budget but only to have Tremont pay about one third of it - $402,000.
The proposal would provide 24/7, 365-day patrol coverage and not just coverage of officers on call, he said in reply to a question.
The police force has four officers, in addition to the two openings. Hall acknowledged in his memo that recruiting police officers is a national problem. But having a larger jurisdiction may help, as it did in Bar Harbor/Mount Desert.
Member Chapin McFarland called the proposal a “Band Aid which will fall off eventually” and pushed for an island wide discussion for consolidation.
Member Luke Damon thought it made sense to consolidate gradually.
“While I do agree, I would be in favor of something like that down the road. I do feel like this is a very good proposal for me.
“The relationship between Tremont and Southwest Harbor is a lot closer - nothing against Mount Desert and Bar Harbor - but it’s just a lot closer and not just geographically, but quasi demographically. I feel like it's a very appropriate stepping stone.”
Chief Hall’s proposal for the FY25 budget is about $4 million for law enforcement services for the two towns. It would have to be approved by voters in each town.
Voters in Tremont overwhelming rejected SWH’s proposal in 2019 to provide 30 hours patrol for $143,000.