Community calls for policy change after Princess Anne CO deaths
Dr. Kirkland Hall, a Community Civil and Human Rights coordinator in Somerset County, wants answers and a solution.
“When you lose eight people more than dialogue needs to take place.”
He understands the reason Rodney Todd and his seven children died — carbon monoxide from a generator running in the kitchen. However, the reason as to why the family had no power has him calling for a change.
“Personally I feel that as a community, including myself, actually failed that family,” says Dr. Hall. “There was a cycle of incidents that took place and now we know what they are, how they can be prevented in the future.”
According to Delmarva Power, the electricity was shut off at the Todd family home one month before they moved in back in November. The family reportedly never requested to reconnect service.
On March 25th, Delmarva Power says they realized a stolen electric meter was being used at the home and they disconnected it. Twelve days later, the family was found dead.
In a statement to 47 ABC, a spokesman for the company says, “Making an unauthorized electric connection is very dangerous and is not the same as someone who steals an object or money. In accordance with Maryland regulations we are permitted to disconnect the unauthorized connection immediately due to the danger presented to the housing occupants and other neighbors in the area. It is more a matter of safety and health rather than one of getting a stolen object returned.”
But Hall thinks the police should have been involved as soon as the stolen meter was discovered, before the power was cut off. He wants a policy change and has been exploring options with local lawmakers.
“If there is a stolen meter on their property, it is a law enforcement obligation, and not the company,” he says.
Senator Jim Mathias says he is working first to see if there can be a rule change with the Public Service Commission, which oversees public utility companies. If not, he plans to work on legislation in next year’s session, in addition to legislation that would require rental homes to have carbon monoxide detectors.
“I do think it’s reasonable that we take these measures and foresee a rule that would be applicable in this case.”
Dr. Hall has also reached out to police about the proposal.
Chief of the Princess Anne Police Department, Tim Bozman, says he plans to submit a measure in support as well.
“This is so this does not happen again to another family,” says Dr. Hall. “We’re a better country than that, a better state, better nation than that, and our corporations should be better than that.”
