The Harford County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday officially unveiled its first helicopter and announced the creation of a new aviation unit, which underwent extensive flight training, to support the agency’s law enforcement efforts which will also have an aviation attorney on hand in case any issues or accidents arise.
The Bell OH-58 A-Plus, designated “Eagle 1,” was acquired through the Department of Defense’s 1033 Program, under which the DoD can transfer excess property to law enforcement agencies. Sheriff Jesse Bane estimated the cost of maintaining and operating the helicopter at $125,000 per year, funds which he said would be supplied through money seized from asset forfeiture and anti-drug operations.
“Air support is one of those technologies that is a force multiplier,” Bane said at a press event held at Forest Hill Airport, where the helicopter will be stationed.
Bane emphasized that no tax dollars would be used “now or in the foreseeable future” to fund the helicopter.
“It is the drug dealers of Harford County who will fund the total costs, directly and indirectly,” he said.
The part-time aviation unit has been in the works since 2010, when Bane said he formed a committee to study a proposal for such a unit prepared by a deputy, William McMillion. McMillion died in March, but several members of his family were on hand at Tuesday’s event and the helicopter’s registration number, N554HC, honors McMillion’s badge number, 554.
The helicopter will be flown by two deputies who have existing certification: Lt. Charles Carr, a 25-year veteran of the agency and former Army pilot who is instrument rated; and second deputy who was not identified due to his activities as an undercover officer but is a 16-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and is a commercial-rated helicopter pilot and certified instructor. The crew will also consist of tactical flight officers, deputies trained to observe from the air and serve as additional support to the pilots.
“Time will determine whether or not it would justify training more pilots,” Bane said. “Right now we feel two pilots are sufficient to accomplish this mission.”
The helicopter was built in 1970 and has 6,000 total hours of flight time, according to Lt. Lee Dunbar of the Harford County Task Force, a multi-agency anti-narcotics group which will also use the helicopter to support their activities. The helicopter is equipped with an SX-5 Nightsun searchlight and FLIR U7500 thermal imaging camera, he said. Maintenance on the unit will be performed by Horizon Helicopters of Newark, Del.; along with the helicopter itself, Bane said the agency acquired an “extensive” inventory of replacement parts valued at more than $1 million.
Bane said the helicopter will be used on an as-needed basis but expected it to be put into service approximately 25 times next year for situations such as missing persons, high-risk calls and surveillance, disaster assessment, and anti-drug enforcement, among others. The sheriff cited studies which claimed that a helicopter unit can perform the work of as many as a dozen officers on the ground.
Through November, he said, the Sheriff’s Office has called upon the Baltimore County Police Department’s helicopters 11 times, Maryland Station Police units five times for non-medevac purposes, and has used the Army National Guard’s local air unit five times for marijuana eradication efforts.
“But there have been times, more and more of late, when services have not been available when requested and times when aircraft have been turned back or broken off because they were servicing the needs of their own jurisdiction,” Bane said.
“We can no longer sit back and let everyone else do the work for us,” County Council District C Councilman “Capt’n” Jim McMahan said. “As the liaison for the council to the Sheriff’s Office, I always think about tax dollars. This is one of those things that the future has dictated we had to look at.”
The aviation unit is not certified to perform rescue operations and will not be used for medevac purposes, Bane said, a responsibility that will remain with the Maryland State Police.
Dunbar said the seized funds which will now be applied to the aviation unit would not impact the funding for other efforts of the Task Force.
If the unit were funded through tax dollars, Bane said the cost to each Harford County taxpayer would have ranged somewhere between $1.25 and $1.72 each. The sheriff also suggested that the unit could eventually be decommissioned if it was unneeded or too expensive to maintain.
“If we find, for whatever reason, there is no need for this aircraft after several years of operation, should advances in technology offer less costly means of aerial support, or should it become a project the county could not afford should funding become an issue, the project will be suspended,” he said.
To view the full video of the press conference provided by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, click here.
No one can fault Sheriff Bane for wanting equipment that can help search for missing persons. Particularly if it is free. However, this stuff always comes at a cost and my concern is that the cost is a slow steady erosion of our liberty. I confess that I do not know the specifics of this deal. However I do know that DHS, FEMA, and other overreaching agencies have been handing out “free” military equipment like candy and local law enforcement is lapping it up. Along with the “gift” comes reporting requirements and agreements to adhere to certain policies and protocols. It is the federal government slowly encroaching on local law enforcement. Harford County has SWAT Teams, Bearcats, portable observation towers, etc. What would it take for this equipment to be turned on us? Think about it, folks.
It already has been used to look at certain parts of our county. If ya ain’t doing anything wrong…then ya don’t have anything to worry about. The federal government turned over the title to the “county” without cost. But I am concerned about the statement of directly or indirectly by county taxpayers. We end up paying for this because even though the majority money is going to come from drugs. There are costs that will come from taxpayers. I like the idea of having the cost paid for before you start up the unit, but there is no way that we cannot be paying for nothing. I hope this doesn’t become a sink hole for the sheriff’s office to keep pouring money into a “part time” unit.
“If ya ain’t doing anything wrong…then ya don’t have anything to worry about.” taxpayer…. you keep drinking that kool-aid… I’m with vseitz, I’m not comfortable with Federal intrusion. Anything coming from the feds has strings attached, anything…
“Taxpayer, “If ya ain’t doing anything wrong………” Just google Paul Kevin Curtis– he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Hey let that TSA agent put his hand in your ass to check for drugs. “If you’re not doing anything wrong you don’t have anything to worry about”. Spoken like a true fool.
Attention Ben Green…here’s a newsflash for you:
* TSA doesn’t employ ‘agents’…they are called ‘officers’.
* They don’t do body cavity searches, and never have.
* TSA doesn’t look for drugs. They are concerned with weapons and explosives.
Talk about speaking like a true fool…
Hey Taxpayer, when you’re in your bedroom with the missus, I’m sure you’re not doing anything wrong there, right? So could Jesse just walk right in and watch?
No wonder we’re losing our privacy, when people believe stuff like this…
What a joke. Time will prove this program to be much more expensive than what Bane is claiming. The maintenance cost at $125,000. Does that include fuel? Does that include storage? Does that include insurance? Does that include personnel and administrative costs? Watch the video and remember those who helped bring this waste of money to Harford County next election, Bane, Craig, and McMahan. It’s time to go!
Corporal Joe McMillion, not Dfc. Of all things for you to screw up Bane.
There is no way that the sheriff’s office can not use department funds to pay for the helicopter. I’m sure they could pay for it by leasing it out to WBAL. That would give the tv station another eye in the sky.
Which way did he go, which way did he go…
This guy is in way over his head along with a bunch of those clowns around him…. Any of them running for Sheriff?
Bane sounds like he is about to cry….. Is John Ryan in the room?
You must have been confusing “about to cry” with “laughing his ass off!”
It’s time Harford County put in a County Police Department and lever the Sheriff to guard the prisoners court house and deliver papers. Can’t wait for the County Executive to fly to his next campaign stop.
I’m sure they will say it is for security reasons that the county exec needs to travel in Eagle 1. I’m sure the county council will be getting rides to events because of security concerns. The part time unit is going to be used for election time. The cost of the helicopter is going to be by the taxpayers of harford County. I’m sure the state police are rolling their eyes at this county in trying to start up a aviation unit. Since county workers have not gotten a raise in some time. Do ya think Santa will be riding in the front seat? Sure!
Bane and his helicopter are going to show up at 25 public events next year so he can stand in front of it campaigning. A democrat through and through! Smiling and shaking your hand while telling you it is not going to cost you and while your not looking his other hand is in your wallet!!!
Yep, I can already imagine the abuse of use… like teenage boys with a new car….
I find it amusing how this was already a done deal, bought and delivered without any consultation of the taxpayers. No interest in what the citizens think, good idea, bad idea… this is local Gov officials out of control, doing whatever they want, buying whatever they want and concocting clever unveiling press conferences, carefully rehearsed, to justify doing so… love the disclaimer… “it can always be decommissioned”… historically, things bought by local governments are not later removed or taken out of commission… it’s hear to stay and probably more like it to come… got that proverbial foot in the door, so there is no going back. Thanks for asking your constituents what they thought before you bought.
If it’ll never cost the taxpayers a penny, then why even estimate a possible cost per taxpayer in your speech? And check your numbers there Hoss… $1.25 to 1.75 per taxpayer, per 2010 census… adds up to well over your estimated operating costs…. So, to fund this fiasco, I expect you to wipe this county clean of drug dealers, seize and sell all of their assets, account for those numbers to your constituents and then pay for this mess without asking those you say this aviation unit is going to serve for a single penny. I’m not interested in buying you toys to play with nor in giving you the means to do the federal government’s, FEMA’s, the DOD’s or any other agencies dirty work to further the Nazi agenda taking place in this country. This infuriates me!
Bane said that the bad drug dealers are going to foot the bill, but his priority is missing children and elders. Just be upfront …. You are going to track drug dealers and that is wise since that is where the money is.
If you watch and listen to the video of the press conference/photo op, Bane states something to the effect of the helicopter paying for itself the first time a lost child is found or a dementia patient is wandering off in the woods during the dead of winter. So apparently the copter will be used to locate Bane himself in the dead of winter.
That would be the same missing child that would have been found by the State Police helicopter that we are already paying for every time we pay our vehicle registration fees! More duplication of effort in government! I hope the voters send Bane a big message next fall and send this thing back to the Feds!
On April 21, 2010 the Montgomery County Police Department disbanded there aviation unit why well here is why, “The county has received two former military helicopters for free, and Leggett has said a
police fund will be the primary source to pay for a two-year evaluation of the program.
Police spokesman Capt. Paul Starks has said that the first two years of the program could
cost about $1 million. Sheriff Bane how do you come up with the fact that it will cost $125,000 again?
I am sorry for the loss of fellow brother Cpl McMillion #554 and may he rest in peace. But to think this wasn’t a political move is wrong. What about the three brothers that have been lost in the last 8 years in the line of duty. Dfc William Beebe # 732, Cpl Charles Licato # 553 and Sgt Ian Loughran # 461. Just sad that you would use politics to model your press conference.
This Sheriff reminds me more and more of Joe Biden, you never really know what’s going to come out of his mouth next…on second thought, he kinda looks like him too. Also, I am not so sure that this county is even big enough to support an aviation unit.
I can see Bane now, “if you don’t support me during the next election, I’ll be watching you….”
Ok, so he thinks it’s gonna cost $125,000. Maybe if you only use it half the amount of time he estimates. Also, an as needed basis? That basically means that if a pilot doesn’t want to come out for the call they don’t have to and even if they do, it’s gonna take close to an hr to get it up. Add to that, now we are paying them over time to pilot this. Is that gonna come from drug money?
Side note, did anyone else catch that he said dfc. Mc million and not cpl? I would be very upset if I were his family.
James: A current lieutenant and a senior DFC will be 2 of the pilots. One of Bane’s minions, a major, is being sent to training school on our dollar. He will then retire at major’s salary and be hired back as a civilian pilot. It’s not just about the helicopter itself. Why isn’t staffing the detention center a priority? What about employee raises? That’s not important. What’s important is rewarding his backers by giving them prime jobs in exchange for support in the upcoming campaign.
Sandi, this is not the first time Bane has misspoken about one of his own. He routinely forgets our names and has to look at our stripes before he addresses us by rank and not by name. The helicopter needs to drop him off in the middle of the woods and let us do our jobs. For the record, I took part in a survey 2 years ago and agreed the aviation unit was a good idea. Things change in 2 years, especially with everything increasing in price, including our insurance costs. Your priorities, Sheriff, what are they? Clearly not us.
Bottom line I just read the Montgomery County Article. They said that it will cost $500,000 a year and I think there stats are more realistic. The deputies are wondering where there raise is oh what 4%. Health insurance went up by about 8 %, fica by about 3 %. Sheriff Bane you stated you have been looking at this for years including taking a trip to APG. When will you look at getting a pay raise for your Law enforcement, corrections and civilian employees?
Bravo Sheriff, I have watched the press conference and you have made the right choice. This will not cost anything and you have two pilots trained that have not cost the county tax payers anything. The Sheriff also has the support of the County Executive and the Council who spoke there support of the program. He is able to get people from both sides of the table to work as one. This is why I will be supporting him again for a third term. This program will cost us nothing and if it does he says he will get rid of the program. So why not try it and move forward.
I guess the two pilots are working for free? Nope, the taxpayers and not drug money are paying their salaries. So there are two salaries being removed from providing law enforcement duties in order to sit in a hanger for maybe 25 calls a year? There are guys on the road getting 25 calls a shift! Here is a life lesson for you Fan, it is costing money now, will cost more later, nothing is free, and Bane will look back at this when he loses as his big mistake.
This aviation unit was a failure from the start, Sheriff Bane Claims 125,000 but it will cost much higher and it will be the next Sheriff’s issue. My Question is that two other sheriff’s candidates that showed up at the press conference, are John Ryan and Jeff Gahler wiling to give there statement or opinion? I think it will take a boat load of thumbs up for them to do so. Will it happen. We shall see
If Bane is so sure of his numbers, perhaps, as public servant, he might share with us his budget and presumptions for this program.
Without documentation, his spiel is worthless
The ship is sinking keep up the good work I thought others were wrong, but you made it a point to bring out all your command staff. Eagle 1 is and was a failure from the start. Keep up the great political work sir.
The war on drugs? You mean the war that will never be won. Bane just ended his political career. Cya!
I’m pro-legalization, but you should know that supporting the “war on $bad_stuff” has built many careers and fortunes.
Just what Harford County needs, its own Air Force, with Jesse Bane as the Commander-in-Chief…
Anybody out there who doesn’t think the upcoming election is what this is all about? I can hear it now…
“I, Sheriff Bane, brought this wonderful helicopter to Harford County free of charge…”
Typical Jesse…
How much is a typical salary for piolets, and how many will they need to keep this in service everyday and all night long. I never saw anything about the Sherriffs office hiring those postions, or did I miss the posting?
I for one, am getting warm fuzzy sensations running up my thighs just thinking about the wonderfull idea of a chopper buzzing our skys with the support $s of Harford county..MMM …Hay I got an idea,,,, He can paint a Big “H” on the wonderfull new office building we paid for next to Target in Aberdeen and he can use that as his landing pad…Word!!!!!!! lol
BBC We all know you are a Deputy because they are the only ones that know BBC stands for Big Brown Couch (AKA Presberry)because she is an idiot. People dont understand how feds and local gov works, thats why they are upset. There are no strings attached when feds transfer assets to civilian police forces. I am a Republican and I love the fact that they have a helo now, if it can help catch bad people or save a life its great. By the way Gahler for Sheriff.
The prices are on 2010 figures. Hasn’t milk, bread, eggs, insurance gone up since then. Also, what about the price of gas. The county hasn’t given raises to its employees and he can start a unit that is going to cost the taxpayers money. I’m sure all the drug money hasn’t come in yet. Check must be in the mail. What about the pilots? Nice to see one of them in a military flight suit. Didn’t know we were part of the military. Also, just because they are trained, but other agencies, doesn’t mean they can fly this certain type of helicopter. There is certifications that need to be attained to fly this type. I’m sure the money has to come from somewhere. Did anyone ever talk to the State Police about what the cost of the program is. If they have resident troopers, what about having a resident helicopter program. Oh wait, that is what the MSP already do. I am sure that this program will go the way of Montgomery County. And a last point, there is another deputy, in the last 8 years that has been Line of Duty Death…DFC Teresa Testerman #214. She wore the uniform of the sheriff’s office, but seems to be forgotten. It’s a shame that she is not included in all the comments and post about losing an officer. Not to take away from them, but she was sworn in every four years and took the same oath.
Bane used Mac to try and keep negative comments toward the unit. Bane couldn’t even get Mac’s rank right. It is not the first time he has stood on the grave of one of our people to try and further his political agenda. Remember the press conference was Charlie was killed? Bane showed up looking like a farmer, didn’t have enough respect to put on a suit or his uniform. Mac was a great guy as were the others who have died. They all should be honored in some way for the right reasons, not to justify some political motive. Jesse, I would love to see this study you did, why not make it public? The Dagger will print it for you. I have been trying to get a copy of this survey you did on the aviation unit now for two weeks and so far nothing. Your aviation unit is going to be as affordable as the Affordable Care Act is.
Eaton – I’d take a farmer over the likes of you any day of the week. Seems like you get a hard on when anyone mentions cops…
Your screen definitely fits you well, looney. Your comment tells people on this site that your insecure in your own masculinity, because you need to reference someone else getting a “hard on”.
I am sure your sitting at home with your thumbs up your a** waiting for someone to notice you on here…well please, allow me…. And if you are so concerned about likes, (or lack thereof ^), Facebook is the place for you…not here….
Calm down Eaton. I said calm down Eaton.
Marc, there was a survey done nearly 2 years ago. It was put out by the union, not Bane and consisted of 1, maybe 2 questions and the only information anyone had to base their answer on was a couple paragraph one sided informational brief written by someone who had his eye on becoming one of the pilots. For the record, I did answer that survey in favor of an aviation unit, but given what I know now there’s no way I’d answer the same way I did then. The results were in favor of at least looking into it, but given what’s happened within the agency since then, especially the criminal lack of raises for anyone except DFC’s with over 10 years experience (i.e. the people who’ve already gotten most, if not all of their steps) while there are people with 6-7 years of service with HCSO still on step 1 and making the same as a rookie deputy with 2 years of service (including 6 months in the academy.)
Using that survey to say that the majority of the agency and union is strongly in favor of having an aviation unit is deceptive at best.
I doubt anyone has a copy of it at this point. It was an electronic survey sent out over email to whatever email address members have registered with the union.
I know this is why I have not been able to get a copy of this survey. I am sure the study Bane did is not available either if one was done at all. You always know when the Baners are coming to his aid because they act out and try to discredit anyone who dares to hold Bane accountable. Jail is unstaffed but Bane has a aviation unit. Well done Jesse.
DTOMFAE – Deputies Tired Of Marc F~#cking A Eaton….. Your brain is severely more understaffed than the jail sir! I used to work with you, liked you and respected you. You were a good deputy, but Bane or not, you truly bring nothing but shame and negativity to those who still work here. At first I thought some of the points you publicly brought to light were good, but no longer… Not just because of this specific topic but your incessant and rellentless rants of Bane. He is a horrific sheriff, but for f+ck sake man, let it go. I will buy you a pink stress ball and leave it on the steps to 45 S. Main for you to pick up if it will help you whine less, but geez dude…. 1. Get a life… 2. Let it go…. 3. GET A LIFE! ! !
Great screen name.
Just slap a big fat red suit on Bane put him in that chopper, fly him around Harford County & call him Santa Clause! LOL Now That Would Be Funny! He’s gonna find some reason to be flying around in that Biatch! spending Monwy, Money, Money!
Ok So this aviation unit will not make it during any hours before Baltimore County/ Baltimore City/ MSP/ Delaware State Police. It is pointless and is for political reasons only. Maybe Major Dunbar and others should focus on a sexual harassment claim that is coming out of the narcotics unit before trying to be cute and sugarcoat this unit.
Why are you going to pick on Marc A Eaton are you suffering from being mad at a man that discloses the truth? Sad but I support Marc all the way. I think the same people that are knocking him are scared about losing a job. Good you deserve it you have done nothing for the citizens of this county, happy trails new people need to come in and take over throughout this department. Happy Holidays
When Bane loses the election, we should hold a parade in honor of Marc Eaton. His relentless pursuit for giving out the TRUTH about the Sheriff’s Office should be commended. Those of you slamming him, Shut the F up, until you are walking in our shoes, you don’t have a clue. The aviation unit sucks, does anyone have any idea of how much money has already been spent on equipment for it and the pilots?!!! Well I do. Like that fancy flight suit that Lt Carr is wearing for starters.
really?
Funny how the people who dog Marc refuse to use their own names. At least he has a pair and confronts the issues that need it.
Way to use your own name “sandi” 😉
Pretty sure I did. Would you like to see my birth certificate? There are many people on here who know exactly who I am.
OK everyone who knows who I am shout it out.
sandi, why does Eaton have a problem with farmers?
I don’t know…ask him. I don’t even know Marc Eaton aside from on here.
Marc loves to troll and stalk. He even left his e-mail on this forum to entertain dialogue with people so he would get more of the attention he craves. Really just an asocial little troll who hates and derives pleasure from the things he hates.
What Marc A Eaton said doesn’t bother me. When I’m out plowing my field or taking care of my farm animals I’m not mad at Marc. I think that someone on here has a personal vendetta against Marc. Not sure why, is it because he is exposing the truth? If it wasn’t for Marc the truth wouldn’t get out, and he has asked what he has said isn’t true and hasn’t gotten any response which makes me believe what he said is true. This aviation program sounds good on face value but nothing is free and that concerns me. I think that it wasn’t needed and wonder why if aviation was only used 21 times last year, 5 of which were no urgent marijuana recon missions, how can you justify in your own words using it 25 times at 125,000 a year. That 125,000 could go to training your staff, educating the community, or buying additional gear. I also question when you say that ” there have been times, more and more of late, when services have not been available when requested and times when aircraft have been turned back or broken off because they were servicing the needs of their own jurisdiction”. How many times has that happened, my neighbor works for Baltimore County and said that they are always available to assist. If weather is an issue would be the only exception, and is weather is an issue for them how won’t it be an issue for your department. I just would like a better explanation about how you intend to use and fund this chopper. Thanks
I was not knocking on Farmers Bill. I was only pointing out that when one of your men dies in the line of duty show some respect and put on your uniform for the press conference. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Marc A Eaton until you or someone else prove me otherwise I support you. I agree with you and respect the law. If a cop dies in the line of duty the chief should wear a suit or uniform not a farmers suit. I wish and hope all cops well no matter who is elected but appreciate you bringing disparities to light and using your own name that takes b#lls.
may be the sheriff will offer payed site seeing trip’s on the down time. apparently he has convinced the public there is a need for this very expensive project.
@VV,
Could not disagree with you more. He has not convinced anyone of anything. Bane just went and did it behind everyone’s back and is now trying to sell it. Look at the comments here, on the Patch and even on the HCSO Facebook Page and you will see he is going to have to work a whole lot harder pulling the wool down to keep it and his job!
Question: How can we be sure the Sheriff is lying?
Answer: His lips are moving !!!!!!!
So if my math is correct which I’m pretty sure it is. If the Sheriffs states that this Eagle 1 will be flown 25 times and it will cost $125,000 dollars which I think is low balling but time will tell, then it will cost $ 5,000 per flight. $125,000 divided by 25 equals $5,000 a flight. Now that is a good management of money. By the way did anyone consider that the US Park Police also have their Helo named Eagle 1 and maybe just maybe you should have picked a different name for yours in case 1 out of your 25 times you happen to fly you end up working together. Either way failure program from the start. Great Job
I think he mispoke…. If you watch and listen to the video in its entirety, he says 250-300 flight hours / year. The dude is like 70 years old. I think without the bi-focals on he mistook the 250 for 25. The cost for the benifit are very reasonable. It is also funny how everyone on here wants the facts…. and you are provided some facts….. then the facts are all lies from your perspective. Maybe next time somebody will just tell some lies so from the start so you all are onboard! Remember people… The sky isn’t blue. And Marc A. Eaton would be flipping out if he found out the sheriff passed on this opportunity. The guy is just an angry fat man sitting at a dirty computer somewhere. He will hate anything the Sheriff does, even…. no…. especially if it might actually be a good idea.
Not fat I am husky and a medium build at Wal Mart.
TrueBlue: May be we should say good by to the Sheriff, but the damage is done.
Maybe several of these 25 missions will be for Lt Carr and Major Presberry to track employees and make sure there not eating together. I mean I guess dinner and lunch together are a thing of the past. But I hear they eat breakfast together on the 2nd floor at 45 main does the same thing apply, or are there different rules? I even hear that they send a deputy from planning and research to go get the breakfast. A deputy that should be on the streets but instead he is running breakfast errands. Sad
To add to this increasingly disgusting program, anyone know that one of the pilots was removed from the air guard for improper and dangerous conduct? Yes he flew an attack helicopter over the 4th of July parade one year, buzzing the crowd and had the gun turrets pointed at the same crowd, moving side to side scaring thousands of spectators!
Another so called pilot is really not a pilot. He washes and waxes planes.. will he drop seafood to the ground instead of a turkey drop? Now he’s running for Sheriff? Another pillar of the department… a lazy do enough to get by Deputy……
How many of the command staff would pass the muster regarding the weight limit for flight? They certainly didn’t pass the buffet stand……breakfast, lunch or dinner…
Our department is in a sad state of affairs. I hope someone comes to our rescue !!!
So if I Don’ votet for Bane who is better, I see Ryan, Gahler and Peck. one of which have had the Bal$s to speak out for or against this which is what I’m waiting for. If they can’t even have a simple response to an issue it confuses me. I think change is needed but even the people up for election won’t talk. I’m confused I want better but don’t see it coming.
Citizen: Gahler and Ryan were at the press conference. I don’t know what Peck looks like so I don’t know if he was there or not. I’m surprised that Gahler hasn’t responded, he has been quite vocal in the past about refuting Bane’s claims. But I too would like to hear from the candidates.
What I have read from Mr. Gahler has always been very thorough and he seems to make sure that his information is factual. Doing so takes time, especially when the data is not readily available.
I have never heard Mr. Ryan’s position on why he thinks he would be a better Sheriff than his current boss Sheriff Bane. I would look forward to hearing his comments about the current Sheriff and how he thinks he would do a better job than Sheriff Bane or candidate Gahler.
I have read the information on Mr. Ryan’s web site. I see than he would direct more attention to the Detention Center, an area of concern that needs priority attention by whoever is Sheriff. Mr. Ryan has not however, described why he believes the current Sheriff is not doing a good job. As a current member of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Ryan should have first hand knowledge of the lack of leadership demonstrated by the current Sheriff and the Sheriff’s senior leaders.
I have looked at Ryan’s website too and it looks like he is just copying Gahler’s thoughts, jail, more cops on patrol, traffic safety, leadership. If he agrees with Gahler so much why on earth is he running? My guess is is a plant by Bane in the republican race. Why else would Bane allow Ryan to attend the event in uniform, on duty and obviously by the comments on here as a recognized candidate?
Well spoken folks. 2. Mr. Peck is an unknown here as far as popularity goes. He hasn’t started any fires for support up here…..Maybe we should hear more from and about him and his ideas? It is go time now for the election… don’t wait too long Mr Peck.
Mr Gahler, true he is a deliberate type of action person, who collects all the information possible before making any statements. We have seen his intelligence shine before in his letters and statements. Not saying I’m totally behind him, but as of now, he’s the best choice as many see it. Only thing is for all my years here, the department is afraid of having an ex-trooper as Sheriff, as the belief was that person would run it like MSP. In this case, Mr Gahler’s leadership skills are well pronounced and many of us feel he would lead in a positive light.
Mr. Ryan, well, he’s a slug. A lazy, poor excuse of a Deputy. What experiences can you gain by never supervising, working day-shift most of his career, in an area that receives the least amount of calls for service, being one who is incapable of completing a professionally structured incident report? It is very true he focuses on many career paths or endeavors one could say, but truer words were never spoken when it is said maybe he should focus on his so called primary career. Who was in his sector patrolling or answering calls when he was at the press circus? His bid for Sheriff is as much of a farce as his detailing, piloting??, DJ, and Crab Entrepreneur are…..A plant, who can be sure, more than likely some type of arrangement has been made….He might be our next Captain or Major????? OMG Scary thought !!
Apparently Marc Eaton is behind anybody but Bane which really tells ya something about Eaton.
John Ryan is a plant by Jesse Bane plain and simple. The guy has more part-time jobs than a family of mexicans. Shows he doesn’t take his day job very seriously…
Please folks, lets not drift off topic here; this topic has nothing to do with who might be king tomorrow, but who might be pissing away our tax dollars today.
John, this is the Baners trying to get a war started between the Republican candidates and take the focus off of this story.
Hi Mark:
I do, indeed, understand this, and as a webmaster running several forums, I can only tell you that I would have zapped these comments as being “Off Topic”. “Go start another thread.” kinda deal.
As an ex-officer, in another force, in another country, I remember the deprivations, and also the exultations, when pay went up or down. In 1979, according to some, albeit unreliable sources, our pay increased 45%, and in most cases retrospectively. The reports were not far off the mark. It wasn’t, at that time, unreasonable. We had been pounding the streets for years at little more than minimum wage. (Of course, when we got paid the retrospectives, we were taxed beyond belief, because we had passed into another tax bracket!)
However, our force was not a local sheriff’s department, but a national police force, controlled effectively, by the government of the day. Here, it would seem, you have a “know nothing, achieved nothing” temporary manager calling the shots. He is the very man who should be DEMANDING a budget from the county to adequately recompense his staff; if he fails in this, he fails in all else.
Having vented my spleen, I would have zapped this comment as being “Off Topic”. “Go start another thread.” kinda deal
Looks who off topic now?????
A piece of work !!!
Go Marc… We love ya Man !!
Eaton, how bout I fix you up some beef, pick you up in a lino, take ya to my plane and we go for a rde with Uncle Jesse Bane, Deputy John Ryan… Lol