From the Dartmouth Police via Nixle advisory service
Advisory Message has been issued by the Dartmouth Police Department.
Monday May 17, 2010 9:27 AM EDT
Rash of House Breaks in Dartmouth, Police Seek Help and Offer Valuable Safety/Preventative Tips
The Dartmouth Police Department is asking for the public’s help with a recent rash of house breaks. Several breaks have been reported since the end of April and police are asking town residents to be aware of any suspicious activity or strangers in their neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to contact us with any license plate numbers, vehicle and person descriptions of anything they deem to be out of place. These pieces of information can be quite important to any police investigation.
Residents are encouraged to document serial and model numbers on high priced items. We also suggest that residents should photograph valuable items such as jewelry and keep these pictures in a hidden place or in a safe deposit box. This information could later assist law enforcement in the identification of these items if they are recovered.
Residents are reminded to call the tip line at 508-997-9900 or the Dartmouth Police Department’s Detective Division at 508-910-1775 with any information. This is part of an ongoing effort to devise innovative ways to further reduce criminal activity and nurture a partnership with the community. All tips (anonymous or not) are taken seriously and will be reviewed and followed up by the Dartmouth Police Dept.
Please call Det. Robert Levinson with any questions you may have – 508-910-1755
For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/2207037/.
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49 comments:
What are the odds that these housebreak criminals will be arrested before the new police harbor patrol bags some terrorists in the name of Homeland Security?
The home across the street was recently broken into and amid the usual assortment of stolen things, (wii,psp etc...) was the urn containing her mothers ashes. Absolutely no excuse for that.
Are these break ins in any particular area?
What is this new police harbor patrol all about?
The new police harbor patrol is your override money hard(ly) at work.
Phil
Don't you get it, there is no excuse for breaking into someones house. How can you be so definite, by using the word “absolutely” to describe no excuse for taking the urn containg ashes? The use of an adverb (absolute) to describe the taking of the urn indicates that the breaking into the house and stealing of other items is not as repulsive, or of less importance. Cremation of a human into ashes and poured into an urn becomes an item of no set value. One can not set a price on the ashes, but the urn has a value. The breaking into the neighbors house is absolutely illegal and larceny of property is a felony. All the items stolen is absolutely a crime.
If the perpetrator is ever arrested and brought to trial the prosecutor could not use the urn as as the single most important item stolen. Unless the police can place the perpetrator at the scene of the break, he/she will never be charged with the crime.
It seems to me that we may have been duped into voting for a police override. We were presented with a case that said the override was needed to put seven police officers on the street. This number of seven patrolmen was represented as the minimum required for public safety. Now, after passing the police override, absorbing retirements, and awarding promotions, we find that there are enough patrolmen and money to recommission an unused shellfish warden boat and staff it for harbor patrols. Needless to say, I will be asking a whole lot more questions before ever writing an op-ed letter supporting extra funding for the police department.
I agree with Bwalker. For a number of reasons, Barry has gained my respect. I also supported the police override. Why have I supported Bwalker? He has always search for the truth before acting, or responding on this blog. I don't believe Bwalker did his home work on this subject. With all due respect, please contact police chief Lee and get it straight from the man himself. Thank you for your police support and please respond.......thanks.
To Bill, other SB members and Chief Lee,
I support your action re: Sgt. Lake. Long overdue. He occupies the #2 spot on the police Hall of Shame next to another former officer who cost the town many, many thousands to get rid of. While I believe there are some other serious personnel issues left, I believe this action strengthens the morale and character of the department. The overall staff there does a great job and should be commended for serving the town so well. Weeding out the few bad ones is a necessary process despite the cost and aggravation of doing so.
Now, after passing the police override, absorbing retirements, and awarding promotions, we find that there are enough patrolmen and money to recommission an unused shellfish warden boat and staff it for harbor patrols?
First of all a harbor unit was never in the plans of the former chief (pacheco). The town leaders voted to hire an outside chief and the new chief wants to limit b&e's into boats which is a huge problem every year, possibly save lives (yes people drown in Dartmouth) and keep drunken boaters from harming others.
Seems we all forget that people get robbed and killed in our waters the same as our roadways. I say good for Chief Lee for exploring new ways to utilize the personel he has.
I agree with the post concerning Scott Lake. My issue is with the selectmen. Why did the town wait until they hired a new ( outsider) chief before firing Ray Lake? According to the news article, Ray Lake is well liked inside the department. The article indicates that Ray Lake is a 28 year police veteran. Is the article making a statement that if you're well liked inside the department you receive a favorable preference? Ray Lake is well known and liked within the rank and file, does this give Ray Lake more standing? Why didn't the police union, P.A.L, or the Dartmouth police relief association step in and offer some understanding. The Ray Lake story is a tragedy that could have been avoided. This well liked former police officer needed the help of the people who cared/liked him so much that they allowed this to happen. No excuse guys, you all screwed up or covered up, which ever it is you all contributed. Shame on you all. Your out supporting politicians but failed to support your own. Your out there challenging a sitting selectman for questioning cruiser crashes but failed to offer help to one of your most liked police officers. Ray Lake is not the problem, the inaction of his fellow officers are the cause. Look the other way, don't tell anyone, give him a break, yup..all you who voted Ray the best liked officer can now look into a mirror and ask your self one question. Why didn't I help when he needed me most.
Why did the town wait until they hired a new ( outsider) chief before firing Ray Lake?
Progressive discipline is the way to remove someone from their job. The discipline with Sgt Lake began years ago and was ultimately completed under Chief Lee. No one was covering for Ray Lake, he had multiple hearings before the BOS and was suspended, performed punative duty and received reduction in rank to patrolman twice. All prior to Chief Lee taking over.
TO sit here and accuse police officers of supporting politcal candidates instead of helping Ray is nothing more than pointing fingers. The administration, Police Union, and BOS all attempted to help this employee out several times.
For you to say "Ray is not the problem" shows just how little you know about this situation. To parrot Ray's lawyer and say Ray was "well liked" shows how ignorant you are regarding lawyer speak. Ask Joe Michaud about that when you see him.
Regardless of who the "new" chief ended up being Ray Lake was in danger of losing his job. There is a paper trail that spans years not the two months Chief Lee has been running the department.
In the end it is up to Civil Service to determine if there is a valid reason for Ray Lake to lose his job. I find it extremely disturbing that a mans life work is used as a political tool by a Michaud supporter. You should be ashamed of yourself for linking the two.
When was the vote for best liked officer? You are insane if you think the rank and file of the DPD would vote Ray Lake anything besides someone nice to have a cocktail with.
Ray lake's problems are the direct cause of Ray Lake. It is called free will.
Lawman,
Probably, the thing that bothers me most about this new harbor patrol is that I don't believe adding this new service was well thought out. How was the need for this determined? The harbormaster himself was not even consulted before the decision to go forward was made. The waterways commission has boats, the fire departments have boats, now the police will have a boat. Boats are expensive. How many of them do the taxpayers need to fund? I feel that public safety in the harbor is well taken care of by the harbormaster. I would much rather see our police resources being used to catch those responsible for the recent rash of housebreaks or gang activity than patroling the harbor. Just my opinion and we can agree to disagree on this one.
As a very seasoned boater, (I spent 5 years as a commercial fisherman and my first river runner was a canoe bought with paper route money), I can tell you many stories about people in patrol boats approaching me on the water and either saying or doing some really dumb things. Do I really want to have one more boat out there interrupting my fishing supposedly for my own good?
Here is the first story about why I don't want to pay taxes for a police patrol boat. Back in the 1960's, I was in a twelve foot boat with my father and brother enjoying a nice day of groundfishing off the shore of Nonquitt. We were approached by a state boat who wanted to check our registration and safety equipment. Upon pulling up to us, one officer declared his intention to physically board our boat. Mind you that this was a twelve foot boat with three people already in it. Only after my father rightly promised to kill the man should anything happen to either of his sons, did he back off and stay in his own boat.
Next story. While gently drifting and bouncing off several rocks at Mishaum Point in a 14 ft skiff, I got myself into a nice school of stripers. Of course, just when I hooked into a nice one, a state boat approached, ordered me to reel in because they were going to pull up beside me in their 20+ footer. I smiled and informed this man who was there "for my own good" that there were about six boulders between him and me that were all less than one foot below the surface. He looked at me quizically and said "there are?". We then negotiated that I would finish with my fish and then go out to him. By the time he was finished checking me out, that school of fish was gone. Just the kind of "help" I don't need out there.
Next story. While fishing in January in Clark's Cove I saw a patrol boat approaching me through the snowflakes. Upon inspecting my safety equipment, he ordered me to return to the dock because I had no life preserver. I politely informed him that it was January with no other boats around and that the water was 34 degrees. Life jacket or not, if I fell in, I would be DEAD in about two minutes. The practical goal of the day was to not fall overboard in the first place. My argument could not prevail and a young father with a family to feed had his pay for the day cut by about two thirds. Thanks for the "help".
I could bore you with more true stories but I think you get the picture. I have already spent half of my available free time running around getting all my registrations, fees and licenses paid for. I don't want to lose any more of my precious fishing time getting boarded by the new police patrol.
One last thing, my feelings about this have already been brought to Chief Lee's attention. I was told that he would call me last week. He didn't. I have respect for our police department but I just don't agree with them on this one.
Mirror
I disagree with your post concerning the firing of the police officer. My information has come from the standard times article which states that the officer was late for work, due to a snow storm. I find it difficult to believe that this is the cause of his firing, but if what you indicate is true, reporting to work under the influence of drinking then something should have been done to help this officer. Alcoholism is an illness and shouldn't be treated as a crime. There are hundreds of facilities that could help this person. If anyone has this illness then treat the illness, don't fire him.
Several years ago a police officer was injured in a traffic crash. Suggestive post on this Dartmouthhitching post have indicated that something at police headquarters changed, but never mentioned what. Is this a cover up? What happened at the station if anything?
Do you recall this song, “ something is hiding behind that green door? Or should it be green book?” and it's not a large piano....I truly believe that one of your malcontents is stirring the manure...but again why did so many police officers make excuses for officer Lake? Mirror, mirror, on the wall do you have any thoughts at all?
I am sure that when Chief Lee came on board, he must have been shocked by the size and content of Sgt. Lake's personnel file. To connect this with Mr. Michaud in any way boggles my mind. Sgt. Lake has been a horrible reflection on a good Police Department for many, many years. This may well work down the same path of the other referenced ex-police officer who was reinstated and eventually settled with the town to get his pension despite in all likelihood committing more crimes than those he may have solved. Sad, but true.
Barry,
Thanks for your honesty. The reason you don't want a police harbor patrol is because you don't want the laws enforced.
The rule is you MUST have a life preserver on board for each person on the boat. You didn't and instead of being a man about it you made excuses.
I suppose after a person goes through the "trouble" of registering their car, getting a license, and obtaining insurance they shouldn't be bothered by LAWS while driving either!!!
Laws are broken every day in the harbor and someone besides the harbor master has to be involved.
Police harbor patrol is long overdue. As a former boat owner, I want to be the first to congratulate the Dartmouth police chief for organizing a harbor boat patrol and the foresight to protect our boats from thief's and vandals. Each year tens of thousands of dollars have been stolen from our boats. The harbor master has done an excellent job of protecting the harbor, but all additional assistance will be welcomed.
Several years ago, Sheriff Hodgson made an attempt to have his deputies patrol the harbor but was met by stern resistance from the select board. I'm pleased to hear that this issue has been resolved. More police visibility will discourage not only thieves and vandals but encourage boating crafts to slow down through the harbor and save a life or two.
Although I'm encouraged by reading the attached post, I haven't read or heard any official word concerning a police harbor patrol. Can anyone offer more information?
Barry
I'm surprised that you find fault with law enforcement for citing you for not wearing or having a life preserver while on the water. This is not the Barry Walker I know or have come to enjoy listening to and reading about. You put yourself and other people, such as search and rescue or search and recover at risk. What do you think would have happened if your boat/skiff was found adrift and noBarry Walker inside the boat. The rescue forces would have been out searching for you. You are too smart a person or maybe too young to have known what you had done. The Barry Walker I have come to know is much smarter. Don't take this police harbor patrol too serious, it just might be a rumor.
As Barry stated, if he had fallen overboard in 34 degree water, he would have been dead with or without the life jacket. Let the police catch some real criminals instead of worrying about Barry in his boat. I think we can all agree that he can take care of himself.
Have the police caught the crooks breaking into all the houses yet? No, they are too busy getting their summer harbor cruise boat ready at taxpayer expense.
I knew they would turn Barry's argument around to make it look like he is some kind of criminal in order to justify getting paid to cruise around in a boat all summer.
Is there any special training involved that the police must go through with use of this boat?
The harbor master handles search and rescue. They do an outstanding job of it too. There is no need to pay police officers to duplicate this service. If we have enough officers to start a new water patrol, there better be a big fat zero next to overtime when I get my town meeting budget.
The police patrolling the harbour is just plain ridiculous. The Waterways Commission already has ample resources to get the job done. Those resources inlude a 17' Whaler, a jet ski, 2 Tripp Angler boats for rescue and general service, and a high speed rescue and tow boat. At least this small navy is funded by Waterways fees, unlike the Police Boat.
It does seem like a duplication of effort. Is there anything the police can do that the harbormaster can't do, and how have we gotten along all these years without a police patrol of the harbor? Pretty well, I think. Have there been any major drug busts, crimes, or major upheavals warranting a police patrol that the harbormaster can't handle?
That's what cell phones are for. Dial 911 in case of emergency!! Can't the harbormaster do that, if necessary? I think so. How much extra will this police patrol cost us in manpower, etc., if any?
Is there anything the police can do that the harbormaster can't do?
Sure there are a host of crimes police can enforce on the water. BUI for one. There are numerous b&e's into boats that could be reduced with a harbor presence.
Most other towns with coastal areas in their town/city employ a harbor unit so let's not make it seem like Chief Lee is reinventing the wheel.
Seems some of you are jealous or angry that the police are going to interfere with your boating pleasure/ drunken joyrides.
I trust the opinion of the Waterways Commission on this one. If the police can get a letter of recommendation from them saying that this extra service is needed, then they have my support. If there is no official letter from the Waterways, then this service is not needed. Nobody knows the needs of the harbor like them. Would any of them like to respond?
Heaven forbid that anyone say no to the police. I see the debate has deteriorated to the harbor patrol proponents labeling anyone opposed to their taxpayer funded harbor cruises as drunken boaters. I think the questions being asked about this new service are legitmate. Especially the questions regarding what we were told about the police override and how it would diminish the use of overtime. According to the schedule A budget going to town meeting next week, police overtime is still at $250k yet they still have enough money to start a whole new service.
Bill,
Was the Select Board involved in forming this new harbor patrol or was this a decision coming from within the police department? I don't recall ever hearing from the SB that they felt it should be our policy or priority to divert more resources to the harbour. Actually, the only thing I have ever heard are complaints that the Waterways Enterprise is a sacred cow and that even some of those revenues should be diverted to the general fund.
According to the schedule A budget going to town meeting next week, police overtime is still at $250k yet they still have enough money to start a whole new service.
There is ALWAYS going to police overtime. Calls for service do not stop because it is 10 minutes before a shift ends and someone still needs to respond to those calls thus creating overtime.
Overtime is also paid everytime a patrolman is required to go to court on his off duty time, This is the bulk of the overtime and it too is not going away now or ever.
Overtime as it relates to backfilling patrolman shifts because of vacation or sick time is at an all time low.
Those are the facts and having a boat in the water is not going to adversly effect manpower.
I see the debate has deteriorated to the harbor patrol proponents labeling anyone opposed to their taxpayer funded harbor cruises as drunken boaters??
The comment made was "Seems SOME of you are jealous or angry that the police are going to interfere with your boating pleasure/ drunken joyrides.
No one is labeling anyone opposed to the habor patrol drunken boaters but to deny that SOME are is sticking your head in the sand.
The Chief of police is tasked with public safety in the town of Dartmouth and if he thinks we need police in the harbor it is his right to put them there. Who will be the first to scream bloody murder when an accident involving a drunken boater claims the life of a loved one? Let the cheif do his job.
What, where, when did all this happen? Am I reading this right? The police department will have a police harbor patrol....It's about time someone took notice of the harbor. By the way, there is no such place as the Padanaram harbor, it's the Apponagansett Harbor...check your water charts. The water flowing under the Padanaram bridge is coming from the Apponagansett Bay. You padanaram people make me want to snicker.....the small bridge is called the Apponagansett bridge because it crosses the Apponagansett water but the larger bridge that crosses the same body of water is called the padanaram bridge because it cross over the Apponagansett Bay Harbor to the padanaram village. Now that the padanaram area is in such disarray while not call it the bridge to knowhere?
Every summer I sit in my car and watch the number of boats launched at the Apponagansett town landing or is it the padanaram town landing? I have noticed the number of ice chest being brought onto the boats, I'm sure they are needed to keep the fish fresh but in most cases the fish are on the bottom of the boat and the beer is kept on ice. One group left the pier before someone in the boat discovered that they left the ice chest in the back of the truck. The captain made a water u-turn and two boaters went back for the beer. It must feel great to cruise the harbor and suck on a can of beer or two. Just what the doctor ordered.
Wasn't it not too long ago when a tragic accident occurred and one person killed because of some large power boat that crashed into a sail boat? It was a clear day and wham a well liked man was dead. Never found out what or why it happened but todays news is tomorrows sorrow. Only if someone had seen the power boat heading toward the sail boat. What, where, how could this have happen? It was such a nice clear day.............
The investigation found that there was no alcohol involved in last summer's fatal crash. That's a fact. Yes, your statement does imply that anyone opposed to your police harbor cruises is a drunken boater. In fact, it now seems like you would consider any boater who carries a cooler on board as probable cause for drunken boating. It's always the same old story. One accident, tragic as it may be, and the facts get twisted around to support other people's agendas, regardless of how fiscally irresponsible they are. There is a fine line between the oath to protect and serve and pissing off the citizenship that you are supposed to be working for. I can tell you that few people have the courage to speak up against the police (Mr. Walker appears to be one of them) but there is a lot of buzz throughout the Padanaram Harbour community about this and it's not positive.
12:13 PM
Get your information corrected, it's not the padanaram harbor, it's the Apponagansett Harbor. Try and get it straight, I don't give a hoot about the police harbor patrol or the people in support or in disagreement. I don't own a boat, don't want a boat, and for all the people who do congratulations for spending the money and time with something you enjoy doing. I don't know much about this Dartmouth harbor patrol but it seems reasonable to me. How it's funded I don't know. Why do we have a harbor patrol is another question that deserves an answer. It always appears to me, as I drive over the bridge, the number of people who own boats. Small boats, large boats, sail boats, power boats, and some boats larger then my house. I don't know anything about the water ways committee or what ever but I'm impressed by the number of boats floating on the North and South side of the bridge. To be honest, I've always wonderer where do the boaters empty their waste water/sewer crap. Does it go directly into the harbor water? Is it pumped into some type of HONEY boat? How do the boat people dispose of their waste products? Do they have some PAYT or simply return it to the landfill or throw it over the side?
As for police patrol, I don't understand why you state the harbor people are not pleased. Do they have something to hide? I don't ever believe some middle easterner with terrorist implications will attempt to enter our town through the harbor, but then I never thought that they would fly airplanes into our buildings. Maybe the police have more information about this harbor police patrol then is being told. Maybe the home security agency has some information that is not being shared with the community, who knows? I heard on the news that some middle easterner has given orders to kill as many Americans as possible, this means men, women, and children, for no other reason then they don't like us. Is it possible to float some highly explosive material inside a boat and set it off under a bridge killing several hundred people, I don't really know.
This harbor police patrol is good PR. The harbor is wide open to all boats and people who enjoy the waters. Never the less we do have people who want to kill us and the harbor is one way of getting into town. Dartmouth has a state university with students from the middle east and else where.....yup, you can smile and say nasty things but just take the time and think before you smile. What if??
If I remember correctly, when the police were asking for an override, there was a lot of discussion about gangs. We were presented with statistics of the growing numbers and the need for more boots on the street. What happened? Are the gangs on the water now? Oh I forgot. It's about homeland security. Then why is the focus on alcohol? According to the Chronicle article, Mr. Lee thinks anyone who knows someone who drinks is a criminal.
I am more concerned with the break-ins and gang activity. I supported the override because I thought that was the focus and the reason for more personnel. Now it seems we have enough manpower to expand into the harbor. If that is the case then we need an underride to give the voters back what they were duped out of.
I also wonder who will fall victim to the new police patrol. Will it be the poor working stiff with the crappy looking boat who just wants to get out on the water on his day off? Or will it be the guy who owns the beautiful, very expensive sailboat?
I think the Select Board should re-evaluate their decision regarding Mr. Lee. To use Mr. Watson's words, Mr. Lee is not a good fit for Dartmouth if he doesn't understand its boating community. It is all right to admit a mistake has been made. Mr. Cressman has worked out very well. Not everyone does.
It's Just plain WASTEFUL to have cops add this to their plate in a time of economic pain to the citizens. The waters have harbormasters, environmental police, state police and US coast guard, and don't forget the 3 local fire district boat toys. If anyone really cared, the wasted money here is beyond pathetic. Why not sell the unused shellfish boat and use the money for one of the cruisers the department needs? Any idea how much it costs to keep a boat running? Can anyone say Bikini Patrol?
I watched the same news information and it was quite specific. This middle east Arab proclaimed that all followers should kill as many Americans as possible, including people living in America that are not Americans. If you believe for one second that it won't happen you had better think again. I don't know of anyone who would kill Americans just for the sake of killing, but this wing nut is serious, and so are the people who are his followers.
I will not live in fear but if one of my fellow Americans are killed as the result of a terrorist or middle east follower or one of his American make-overs, I'll take what ever action is needed to protect myself and you too. I thank God every night that our (voluntary) armed forces are willing to fight over in the land of the wing nuts. To all our men/women who chose not to volunteer to fight don't feel I'm finding fault with your choice to stay in America, just keep in mind this weekend that many Americans died so that you and I can do and say what we want. It's called freedom. Before biting into your hamburger/hot dog or steak....take a moment to thank all the people who served, and a prayer to those who served and never returned, or still missing.
I think Chief Lee has been watching too many TV shows. You know the ones about the police patrols down in Florida pulling over all the boats filled with drunken kids during spring break. This is Dartmouth Chief Lee not Miami. No one is going to be filming this so don't give up your real job. You know the one you are supposed to be doing on land.
The Dartmouth Waterways Commission is absolutely opposed to having the police patrol the waterways. See the minutes of their last meeting posted on the waterways website. They don't know how to tell the police they cannot patrol, go fishing, or ogle bikinis if that's what their chief sends them to do, but they want nothing to do with this charade for police PR at taxpayer expense. The Town Meeting voted in 2003 to have the waterways commission regulate the waterways. Waterways have been managing and improving access with no tax money since then. Town meeting vote has no significance anymore? The Police never had the decency of directly contacting the waterways commission or the select board about their intended take-over of waterway patrols. You folks have been sold a rogue chief with no idea of the history, tradition or efforts of this town. Town meeting should "0" fund the overtime budget line item to get this point across. They claim the police on the water will not be on overtime, but how about the cops that take their place in the cruisers, bikes or motorcycles? Wanna bet they will need to get that overtime for "regular patrol" coverage? MAybe they wont be patrolling the streets while they're on the high seas? Dupin' y'all out of your hard-earned cash with smoke and mirrors.
If the Waterways Commission is so against the harbor patrol, how come their Chair (Mike Gill) applied to be on it? Maybe since he didn't get picked, Viera and the Prudential Committee can vote to fund a District 2 harbor patrol? This way, they can both navigate through the river of crap that they love stir up!
Good job Chief. You have waltzed into town in full celebratory regalia and unilaterally added services to a town whose wounds were just beginning to heal after its biggest fiscal crisis in modern history. Not one bit of input from the community you were appointed to serve. No hearing. The Select Board, aka police commissioners, weren't even aware that you were adding positions and expenses. Perhaps you could consult with Chief Pacheco to discuss the process we had BEFORE the school resource officer position was created.
To Aargh
You are to be congratulated for providing much needed information concerning the feelings of the Dartmouth Water Commission. DARTMOUTH WATERWAYS COMMISSION IS ABOSOLUTELY APPOSED TO HAVING THE POLICE PATROL THE WATERWAYS. You chastise the police chief and accuse him of not knowing or having no idea of the history, tradition, or efforts of our town. WOW...you have enough venom to kill an elephant. You charge the police chief with nothing more then charades for police public relations, at tax payers expense. You further indicate this by announcing that the town meeting voted for the Water Commission to regulate the water,r but never mention why. Maybe it was the result of the number of moorings owned by harbor political favorites who rented the moorings out at 3,000 thousand dollars a season and pocketed the money, or shared it with the people who control the harbor. If, I was making that type of money, I wouldn't want the cop's snooping around.
Don't expect the harbor master to become involved, he must answer to the Waterways Commission, and chairman Mike Gill. After all, as you so elegantly put it, the Waterway Commission is aware of the water history, tradition, and efforts of our harbor. Your are such a loser.
So you want the new chief to get slammed by the annual town meeting members by “0” funding the overtime police budget AS YOU PUT IT, to get the point across. YUP, YOUR TRULY A STAND UP GUY. You have no idea what the new chief is all about, but accuse him as a rogue chief, with no idea. Once again i must congratulate you for exposing the Dartmouth police patrol for what you claim it to be, nothing more than a bikini cruise in the harbor, after all you would know.
If the Water Ways Commission is SO apposed to the police harbor patrol maybe you can explain, as one of the other post state, that your chairman (Mike Gill) a Dartmouth police officer, applied for the police harbor patrol but didn't make the cut. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the reason why the chief is getting slammed, and the Waterways Commissioners are so apposed to the chief's insight into improving NOT ONLY the quality of the town land mass, but including the harbor as part of the community, and it's safety.
No, it's not the chief who is going off half cocked, it is the same ole people who are frustrated with change. With a new chief, comes new ideas, why not have a harbor patrol? Why so much resistance from the Waterways Commissioners? Is it because of the Waterways Commissioner chairman not being chosen for the harbor patrol, did some see a conflict of interest?
Chief Lee is the best thing that ever happened to the Dartmouth police department. As for his attempt at inpoving the safety for the harbor with a police patrol, I admire his tenacity. Keep up the good work chief and remember, from an “unknown quote,” listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
I heard that Gill wanted the harbor patrol position so bad that he actually interviewed 2 times for it. It really sounds to me like the Chairman of the Waterways Commission is definitely against the inception of this program. Maybe the name of the DFD District 2 boat could be the U.S.S. Hypocrite?
Aargh
You did not give correct information for the readers of this blog. Your Waterways Commission Chairman, Police Officer Michael Gill, applied for a positon on the Dartmouth harbor patrol. You stated that they, the waterway commissioners, are totally apposed to the Dartmouth police harbor patrol. What say you?
Chief Lee was appointed by the select board to manage our police department, and set goals as it relates to state certification. As an outside chief with excellent credentials, chief Lee is handicapped by his lack of identification as it applies to department tricksters.
It is no secret that some senior patrolman have made attempts through their political connections, to prevent certain police officers, who disagree with their disruptive agenda, from advancing in rank or higher rank. The tricksters spearheaded one selectman to advance all in house chief candidates to become finalist in the chief search interviews.
A Dartmouth police dive team member resigned and started up his own dive team with fire district two. This is like Joe Vieira, the towns appointed member to acquire used military equipment for the town, acquiring a used airplane for fire district two with no place to land or take off from. Where would the fire district two members dive team dive? Maybe Horseneck beach but that's in Westport.
Chief Lee is a self motivator, a leader who will need time to discover where the political land mines, or should I say political water mines are hidden, both inside the harbor and inside the police department. The padanaram harbor has never been police friendly. This harbor is a sanctuary for the rich and famous. A Dartmouth police harbor patrol will be intrusive to those who wish to be undetected.
Bii
Maybe you will allow my toned down comments on the harbor patrol unit. I kept out all name calling.
Thanks
DARTMOUTH WATERWAYS COMMISSION IS ABOSOLUTELY APPOSED TO HAVING THE POLICE PATROL THE WATERWAYS.
Why would anybody be afraid of the Police in this Town? Unless you want to sit or navigate your vessel three sheets to the wind, or have a Bob Marlee tribute smoke fest, or both. The harbor master is a great guy, but he is a mooring monitor, he does not do enforcement, he carries no gun, or handcuffs, what type of enforcement can he do? Every timer a boat is broken into he calls the Cops, and they respond to take the report. I would as a SOBER boat owner, rather have the Cops on the water preventing boats being broken into, rather than be reactive. But as we know in this Town, the squeaky wheel, gets the grease, or should I say Scotch! By the way, view the Chiefs contract, he has the strong Chiefs language, which means he can do anything, minus being CRIMINAL that he sees being in the best INTEREST of public safety. So if he wants a boat in the water he can do it.
PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE VII. CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 41. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS
POLICE OFFICERS
Chapter 41: Section 97A. Police departments; chief of police; powers and duties
Section 97A. In any town which accepts this section there shall be a police department established by the selectmen, and such department shall be under the supervision of an officer to be known as the chief of police. The selectmen of any such town shall appoint a chief of police and such other officers as they deem necessary, and fix their compensation, not exceeding, in the aggregate, the annual appropriation therefor. In any such town in which such appointments are not subject to chapter thirty-one, they shall be made annually or for a term of years not exceeding three years, as the selectmen shall determine, and the selectmen may remove such chief or other officers for cause at any time after a hearing. The chief of police in any such town shall from time to time make suitable regulations governing the police department, and the officers thereof, subject to the approval of the selectmen; provided, that such regulations shall become effective without such approval upon the failure of the selectmen to take action thereon within thirty days after they have been submitted to them by the chief of police. The chief of police in any such town shall be in immediate control of all town property used by the department, and of the police officers, whom he shall assign to their respective duties and who shall obey his orders. Section ninety-seven shall not apply in any town which accepts the provisions of this section. Acceptance of the provisions of this section shall be by a vote at an annual town meeting.
Dartmouth town meeting accepted this chapter/section and Chief Lee has the authoity/ power.
The Dartmouth police chief has immediate control of all town property used by the department, and the police officers, whom he shall assign to their respective duties.
What is the meaning of this law?? The police chief, once appointed by the selectmen, can assign a police officer(s) to patrol all area of town, and this includes the harbor. He can also set policies for the police officers, and if the selectmen fail to approve the policies within thirty days, the policy becomes law.
Why did our town meeting members accept the provisions under chapter 41 section 97A, also know as the though chief law?? Because the annual town meeting members didn't want the selectmen or any special interest groups to put political limitations on our police officers. The police shall have access to all public ways, including but not limited to the harbor. How do you like those apples??
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