Wicomico County passes resolution on mutual aid agreement

SALISBURY, Md. – The Wicomico County Council voted to pass a resolution today for a mutual aid agreement between the county and all governing bodies and sheriffs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis sent a letter to the county executive on Thursday asking for this MOU to be reviewed.

In that letter, the sheriff said he felt the MOU is “essential in providing sufficient resources from outside Wicomico County should we experience civil unrest resulting in rioting and or looting.”

This MOU essentially allows sheriffs on the Eastern Shore to provide mutual aid to one another in certain situations whether that be providing equipment or police personnel.

Sheriff Lewis says his next step is to now assist Worcester County and the Ocean City Police Department in light of recent violence there.

“Passing this MOU provides this county and other counties with a blanket of security and enable their men and women to assist one another,” said Sheriff Lewis, “That’s all we’re doing.”

Tuesday’s vote was not unanimous. 4 people voted in favor and 3 people abstained.

Councilman Josh Hastings commented on the matter saying he felt the public was not given enough notice about this MOU to understand what it was all about making it hard for them to let their voices be heard.