The Chestertown Town Council last night approved the formation of a study group to consider the construction of a new police station.
“It by no means commits us [to a new police station], but it gives us a direction, costs and alternatives,” said Councilman James Gatto.
The study group would have to complete their findings by December 31, Gatto said.
Gatto has been pushing for a new police station because he believes the current station on Cross Street is outdated.
Chestertown Police Chief Adrian Baker and Town Manager Bill Ingersoll will be on the study group.
Gatto said after the council meeting that the current police station on Cross Street doesn’t meet the current standards for a police station. He said that one issue is that juveniles are not supposed to be visible to adults in the lockup.
“There’s no separation and we have to chain them to chairs,” Gatto said. “If someone pushed it far enough, we could be in deep trouble.”
Gatto said that 20 years ago there were only four police officers working in CPD and now there are 10. He said the town’s population has grown by 1,500 through development and annexation and that the 10 officers are needed to give 24-hour coverage to the town.
He said many of the problems in the town occur around 11 p.m and are related to the drug problem. Without 24-hour coverage Chestertown would have to rely on the Kent County Sheriff’s Office or the Maryland State Police to fill any gaps, Gatto said.
joe diamond says
Probably had as much fun as we are going to have with that building. Remembering it was moved from the courthouse grounds because it was considered an historic structure. Leave it as a base for downtown cops and consider somewhere else for the cars. The board of education building is pretty big & paid for.
Joe
Marge Fallaw says
A reminder, Joe: The B of E property now belongs to Washington College.
joe diamond says
Marge,
You’re the best……………I forgot. Bet the cops could work a lease deal. WC doesn’t know what to do with the building either…….or not saying.
Joe
matthew weir says
I remember it being next door to the fire house. Perhaps I am mistaken. All I can say is it used to be rather fun driving motorcycles through those turns before the police station moved there…er, or so I am told!
eliott bruce says
“happy harry” building, depends on who owns and if Walgreen on hook for rent when brought HH.Long term lease or purchase it.
carol cameron says
No need to construct a new bldg. – Should be able to buy up cheap the Wash Ave White Empty Elephant Retail “Complex” (site of former Black Eyed Susan eatery) . Plenty of room, centrally located, and affords a good view of the narcotics, prostitution, fugitive hide-out, and other criminal activities regularly taking place directly behind.
joe diamond says
Carolyn,
I understand the liquor store made a deal…………….consider a triangular trade route………Blue Bird…..LQ store…….cop shop with comfy jail, convenient to local courts.
Joe
Fletcher R. Hall says
Over time, requirements and needs change. So do viable locations for structures such as a municipal police station. There may be merit in relocating the current town visitor center to the new historical society Boardly Center, exactly in the Center of Town. Where a visitor should be. Consideer the buildig and site of the current visitor center as a new police headquarters, near city hall,the fire department, and the courthouse.These changes provide a better central location for both the visitors center and the police department. Given the functions of these two entities poteltial benefitsmany enure to borh. These potential changes and the results of an informed study, may in the long run be more intelligent and cost effective.
The study, correctly conducted, is a wise first step which should build viable, cost effective options prior to any potential lasting committments.
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown
carol cameron says
Fletcher, your idea would make a lot of sense except for one little flaw. The Visitors Center was built with a lot of grant money ($150,000 or $300,000 I believe). Are you sure the building could be re-purposed without the town having to give back the grant money? The grants were awarded based on a specific use. The State of Maryland can be kind of touchy about these sort of things, can’t she ……
Billie Beck says
Mr. Hall, I totally agree with your suggestion of moving the Visitor’s Center and then moving our Police Dept. in that building. The building where the Police are now use to sit next to the Jail, back when Bartus Vicker’s was in charge and it was know as The Little Courthouse. I actually sat through a trial in there. OK Historical Society, keep your eye on that building!
eliott bruce says
Fletch, way to go .As a commercial broker can say this will not only work for police but put corner of main and main back in play. We would look into buying the visitor center building put it back on tax rolls and net lease back to ctown.Can do it with 1031 exchange but have to do it in 013.