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Brian Gibson, Colmar Manor’s police chief, said he
understands the Town Council’s cost-saving proposal to
move his department to the Town Hall.
However, Gibson said he’d like the department to staywhere
it is.
Currentlystationed at 3611 43rd Ave., about a half mile from
the Town Hall, Gibson said the location creates a more
visible police presence because it’s closer to Bladensburg
Road, where there tends to be more criminal activity.
“When we’ve had robberies in the past, theyusuallycommit
those robberies on Bladensburg Road,” Gibson said.
“Having that station there, at least if a criminal is coming
down Bladensburg Road planning to do something,
hopefullythere is some type of deterrent there.”
During a public hearing July8, residents voiced opinions
about the proposed relocation, which the Town Council is
considering in an effort to cut expenses.
“It’s about trying to reduce the taxrate in Colmar Manor,”
Mayor Sadara Barrow said. “We’re honestlygoing through
the chief’s questionable areas to see if there is a resolution
to his concerns. We do reallywant to serve the people in the
waythey’d like to be served.”
WendyBaiyewu of Colmar Manor said her familyhas been
a victim of theft, where culprits stole bicycles, a video
game console and a stereo system.
“It reallydoesn’t matter where [the police department] is
because we’ve had issues, and there was never any
police around,” Baiyewu, 55, told The Gazette after the
hearing. “Where it’s located, I have not noticed any
difference.”
The lease and maintenance costs for the police
department’s building costs about $30,000 per year, said
Daniel Baden, town clerk-treasurer. To reduce town
expenses, Barrow and the Town Council approved a measure to cut funds from the budget, which included the
operating costs of the five-member police department.
The department has been at 43rd Avenue since 2011 and is budgeted to stayin its current location until Sept. 30. The
council is aiming to make a final decision in August.
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Colmar Manor weighs police station relocation
Council seeks to save money, but chief says current site is more effective
ByImanSmith
Staff Writer
Bill Ryan/TheGazette
TheColmar Manor TownCouncil is debatingwhether to
movetheColmar Manor PoliceStation(shownhere) tothe
TownHall, whichofficials say wouldsaveabout $30,000in
operatingcosts.
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com

2. Terms of Service
The council had hearing attendees cast ballots on the topic to gauge opinions. Of the 40 attendees who cast ballots,
60 percent opted to maintain the offices at the existing location, and 40 percent supported having the department move
to the municipal building, Baden said.
Latoya Liles, 30, of Colmar Manor said the department should relocate for financial reasons.
“I don’t feel it should stayif it’s going to cost the residents anymore money,” Liles said. “Millions were spent on the
Town Hall, and theymade multiple arrangements to house the police department [at the Town Hall]. So whynot have it
here?”
Gibson said the move could cause numerous complications including figuring out how to fit all the department’s
equipment into the Town Hall, maintaining securityof the police equipment, and managing the privacyof reported
criminal and code enforcement issues.
Margaret Seiferth, 63, of Colmar Manor said she’s satisfied with keeping the police department where it is.
“I don’t want them to move. Like the chief told me, it would be too much of a hassle, so I can understand that,” Seiferth
said. “They’re happyright where theyare, but whatever [the Town Council] decides to do, I’m going to have to go along
with it.”
ismith@gazette.net
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