Three-police partnership may move forward
FENWICK ISLAND, Del. – “The need for additional police services is paramount,” said Chief William Boyden at the Fenwick Police Department.
Three police departments are on one mission: to establish a new partnership to improve police patrol in Fenwick Island, Ocean View and South Bethany.
“That’s what we’re looking at,” said Chief Kenneth McLaughlin at the Ocean View Police Department.
“This collaborative effort, which would include, general training together, building comradery and a better rapport between the three departments,” said McLaughlin.
This new push comes after South Bethany went without a police department last summer.
Under the agreement, police officers from Ocean View, Fenwick and South Bethany could do routine patrols through each others towns when needed.
“The catalyst was here when South Bethany had a shortage,” Boyden.
“They were in transition and they were going for a while without a police agency and the other two agencies stepped in,” Boyden.
Although these three police departments are on board, on Friday, town council members in Fenwick Island raised concerns on the possible effects the partnership could have on its residents.
“They were concerned that we would have one person on duty and they would get pulled out of Fenwick Island and then Fenwick Island would have its own issue,” said Teresa Tieman, town manager at Fenwick Island.
But, Chief William Boyden says, they would send out officers to patrol only if there is a request. It is something police say will improve public safety moving forward.
“If there’s a critical situation that takes place, for the officers that are responding to know each other, to have trained together, is really going to be important to the successful outcome of the event,” said McLaughlin.
Fenwick Island council members will hold another meeting soon to determine whether or not to move forward with this new partnership.
Fenwick Island Police Chief William Boyden says this new push is also a result of a growing population.
