Local woman creates petition to reinstate Ridgely PD

RIDGELY, Md. – After the entire Ridgely Police department was suspended back in March, and following an August 5th meeting, where chatter of the Ridgely chief of police being exonerated of all charges filled the Town Hall room, Ridgely residents are still left wondering: When will the police department be back?

Local business owner, Holly Justice, decided to take matters into her own hands, creating a petition that’s garnered about 100 signatures, to call on commissioners to move to reinstate the entire department.

“Petitions, they do get noticed– they may not get as noticed as a whole police force being suspended and let go– but it will get the attention of someone to say, ‘Hey, maybe this is something we need to look into,” Justice said.

Resident, Robin Martin, joined the petition, citing the stark differences in policing since the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office assumed responsibility over the small town in March.

“We feel strongly that we’re not getting the coverage that was discussed, that was promised, and that’s purely visible, because we’re not seeing them in our community like we did our community police,” Martin said.

Still, with no clear indication of when the force will be back in office, Martin said if and when the time does come, the community will welcome them back with open arms.

“We want them back, that’s our biggest priority,” Martin said. “Who knows if they’re going to want to at this point, I don’t know that I would if my employer did that to me, but we definitely want the opportunity to have them back.”

Justice encourages any Ridgely residents who are interested, to sign the petition.