Neighborhood Patrols

Recently we received an email stating that the CRE (Chesapeake Ranch Estates) was going to hire security patrols to help fight the crime in the neighborhood. Mr. Brenneman was asked to respond to this need. Below is the email and below that is Mr. Brenneman's reply.

Residents of CRE,

Due to recent criminal activity, and in an effort to provide the best

possible protection for the community, the POACRE Board of Directors

and General Manager agreed to employ off duty police officers to provide

increased patrols within CRE beginning immediately. Police officers

will be recognized by their marked cars and uniforms. The times and

frequency of patrols are being kept confidential for security reasons. Be assured

that we are committed to the safety and security of all CRE Residents and their

families. Thank you for your support, Travis Scott POACRE President

As Election Day approaches I am interested in your position on?

1. The use of county equipment and the authority of officers being

used as a private security force to "Protect Residents of CRE from Criminal

Activity".

2. The necessity of employing off duty police officers to patrol,

where the regular tax supported police force should be the authority.

3. Why the residents of Chesapeake Ranch Estates should have to

pay for extra patrols from their police force to protect them from criminal

activity.

Mr. Brenneman's Reply...

First, thank you for your inquiry on my position about the safety of the residents of the Chesapeake Ranch Estates (CRE) and Calvert County. I have attended several of your meetings recently, held at the club house in the Ranch Estates and listened to the concerns of many of the residents who live there. I am very familiar with (CRE) and the unique increasing crime problems within that community. I have been a law enforcement officer for 38 years and have spent the last 23 years as a police officer in Calvert County.

The increasing crime problem is a result of the current strategy of the Sheriff’s Office, to essentially stay on the highways conducting traffic enforcement and then respond intermittently when crisis erupts in the neighborhoods. I have a very different philosophy of policing than the current Sheriff. I believe that strong bonds between the community and the Sheriff’s Office are a must. The law enforcement strategy must utilize the citizens and police working together to solve problems for the long term. When there is a crisis or serious incident, we will have established relationships, plans of action and most importantly trust built on friendships, to have the ability to bring about resolution. I have heard that CRE has made the generous offer of a substation within the community. After being elected Sheriff I will establish a dedicated CRE patrol and utilize all of my resources and your substation and assistance, to stop the current escalation of crime. The current Sheriff is quoted in the local newspaper ads saying that crime is down, but we know this is not the truth.

I can assure you that at no time will I suggest that you or anyone else offer to pay additional money for law enforcement service that you are already paying for. Having to pay part time or off duty officer’s to patrol your neighborhood means that I and my deputies have failed you the citizen, our most important customer. When I attended your association meeting recently and listened to the state of the budget for the CRE, the situation is not promising, and from what I heard, your community is in dire need of new maintenance equipment, to repair the internal structure of CRE. We should not be impacting your budget with additional demands. Visit my website at www.Brenneman4sheriff.com and you will get a clear picture of my ideas and strategy for reducing crime in CRE and all of Calvert. Election Day is November 2, 2010, and I am in a very close political race. Cast your vote for Don Brenneman and encourage all of your friends and neighbors and let’s start making progress!

Warm regards,

Don Brenneman

www.brenneman4sheriff.com

More Questions Answered

We have been getting more and more questions asked from concerned citizens of Calvert County. Today we will be posting two questions along with Mr. Brenneman's replies. As always feel free to leave a comment. Mr. Brenneman will answer as many questions as possible.

Comment #1...regarding Calvert Ranch Estate's and the potential of a Sheriff sub station.

Mr. Brenneman,

Mike Evans was reported in the Calvert Recorder as NOT accepting POACRE's offer to provide facilities for a CCSO substation within CRE. The Sept. 24th Recorder on page A-12 says that Sherriff Evans said "while it's nice to be offered the use of the facilities, deputies can now write reports from their vehicles, and they need to be in their vehicles".

HUH!?? You GOTTA be kidding!

Who will support and man a CCSO substation in CRE? The Sherriff candidate that says an overwheming YES to this will get my vote!

Thanks!

Mr. Brenneman's Response

My opinion is the Chesapeake Ranch Estates needs a continuous, appropriate police presence, more than intermittent patrol. I think the substation is a great idea, especially if it is used for the citizens and police to meet and conduct neighborhood crime prevention and gang awareness training. I would never snub my nose at a free substation in an area that is troubled by crime. The citizens in the Ranch Estates have continuously asked the Sheriff for assistance and now they have even made a generous offer to place a sub station in their neighborhood. The current problem is with the Sheriff’s Office and its reluctance to ask for and receive the assistance and cooperation from the citizens not just in the Ranch Estates but in all of Calvert County. The answer, is to get in and start working with the concerned residents like you and build strong partnerships and working relationships that will have a positive lasting impact on crime. This is a perfect opportunity for the current Sheriff to assign his newly formed gang unit to the area, to begin to disrupt and dismantle the gangs or groups. Think about this, the suspects shot at the police officers houses for goodness sakes, that means that they (The GANGS), at least believe they are in control. The deputies have already been driving around writing reports in their vehicles and it is not working, break out the play book and try something else like working with the community!

Thank you for your concern and your commitment to a safer Calvert County, I look forward to working with you in the future,

Don Brenneman

Comment #2

As a concerned Calvert County citizen and voter trying to best decide who to vote for as Sheriff for Calvert County, you recently made the statement while appearing at the St. Leonard Fire Department that “Mike Evans was not doing his job and if you are elected, you will get rid of all the outlaws in Calvert County/Southern Maryland.”

First, please elaborate and explain what you meant by this statement.

Secondly, were you referring to a specific group of people when you said “outlaws”? And, if so, what current Calvert County residents are you referring to?

Next, do you believe if you are Sheriff that crime will decrease in Calvert County and why?

Lastly, if you could only give me one reason to vote for you, what would it be?

Mr. Brenneman's Response

I am not aware of the speaking engagement you are referring to; I have been to the ST. Leonard Fire Department several times, but never at a speaking event. I attended a fundraiser in the early summer and two concert events that were also this summer. At the two concert events, I met many people and had a lot of great conversation with citizens of Calvert County about crime.

First, I most definitely feel that the current administration of the Sheriff’s Office is not doing a good job at all. My feelings about this are not personal against the current Sheriff, but I absolutely disagree with his management style and his ability to manage crime in Calvert County. Secondly, I do not believe that I used the word “outlaw,” as this is not my style of speaking. I do however; refer to criminals and those that prey on people and property of the citizens of Calvert County, unfavorably. My goal is to reduce the current rising crime trend and locate as many of the criminal element as possible so that they can be either rehabilitated, removed from society and placed in prison, or simply receive just punishment, whatever the courts deem reasonable and justified.

I have never and will never refer to any specific Calvert County resident in a negative fashion, nor will I single out any one group, unless they identify themselves as a “Gang”, or “crew”, who’s intention is to create and profit from a criminal enterprise, then I will focus on them!

I do believe that when I am elected Sheriff that crime in Calvert County will decrease measurably. I believe that with an agency completely focused on reducing crime, and an agency that supplies the men and women with the tools they need such as a comprehensive daily analysis of crime using computer crime analysis, we will get results on what we focus on. The current administration has neglected this technology and therefore they have been unsuccessful at controlling crime. Here are some facts about the performance of the Sheriff’s Office under the current administration:

Facts:
The Sheriff has benefited from an 83% increase in funds since he took office. He has nearly doubled the strength of the agency by being approved for 46 new deputy positions. Population in Calvert has been flat for the last two years, yet crime goes up and up and up. The FBI has reported a decline in all areas of crime on a national level despite the sagging economy. This is just from the local news papers who are reluctant to criticize this administration for whatever reason:

Reported in March 2006 CRIME RISES 19.6 %
Reported in MARCH 2006 CALVERT HAS STATES HIGHEST CRIME INCREASE
Reported in September 2009 CALVERT SAW INCREASE IN CRIME OF 18%
Reported in 2009 BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFTS INCREASE by 30%
Reported in 2010 BANK ROBBERIES and GANG SHOOTINGS

DO YOU SEE A PATTERN?
CAN YOU AFFORD ANOTHER 4 YEARS?

If elected as the Sheriff of Calvert County I pledge to apply my 38 years of experience in law enforcement and work tirelessly with communities and organizations to constantly improve the quality of life of the Citizens of Calvert County. I will conduct a top to bottom review of the agency to eliminate waste and keep patrol deputies on the road in your neighborhoods! I will strive to improve the moral of the deputies within the Sheriff’s office so that they are completely focused on our number one mission Eliminate CRIME!

Thank you for your interest in my campaign and vision for the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions and/or concerns.

Don Brenneman

WWW.brenneman4sheriff.com

Questions from a concerned citizen

The following was posted as a comment to Mr. Brenneman by a resident of Chesapeake Beach. Mr. Brenneman's response is below.

Mr. Brenneman, I live in Chesapeake Beach with my wife and step daughter. First, thank you for the Facebook add. Second, I saw you at the forum in Prince Frederick as I was going inside, but did not get a chance to talk to you as the forum was beginning. (You were outside speaking to a lady about your campaign; I was the heavy-set guy with a goutee and very short hair wearing a sleeve-less black shirt who hurried by towards the building.) I am not a Republican or a Democrat (I'm registered Libertarian) and am deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election for Calvert County sheriff. Generally, I am conservative on fiscal issues and liberal on social issues. I do not support drug abuse, but I do oppose the "war on drugs" because I think it has been counter-productive and wasteful. I value security and safety, but I am not willing to sacrifice my liberty to obtain it. I oppose government forfeiture of property before cases have gone to trial. I also generally oppose government forfeiture of property in criminal matters that have gone to trial, unless the property was stolen or obtained with criminal proceeds. Anyway, could you advise where you stand on any or all of these issues?

Mr. Brenneman's Response

First, I am a registered Democrat, but have many people on my campaign team who are not. I have a very diverse campaign and enjoy the ideas from a wide range of critical thinkers. I consider myself to be fiscally conservative especially when spending the tax payer’s money. My opinions on the issues are as follows:

The War on Drugs

I don’t like the term but also do not like drug use and the potential damage done to families and our young people. I am prepared, if elected Sheriff to enforce the State of Maryland Controlled Dangerous Substance Laws but plan to do so using compassion.

Liberty and Safety

I have in the past and will again, swear an oath to defend the constitution; this is not something that I take lightly. These freedoms that are the foundation of this Country are what make us stand apart from others.

Government Forfeiture of Property

I am not opposed to conducting thorough investigations with a highly trained staff, and seizing property either obtained illegally or where the profits are a proven result of a criminal enterprise. The end result is that Law Enforcement usually just recommends the seizing of assets and puts its best case on to justify it. It is the State or Federal Government that pursues the seizing of assets. I believe in the process because it gives the aggrieved party an opportunity for a hearing or the ability to obtain the services of an attorney.

Thank you for your interest in my opinions on the issues. If our paths cross again, please pull me aside, as I would love to discuss my ideas further.

Thank you

Don Brenneman

“Brenneman 4 Sheriff”

Light Bars

A Recent comment from a concerned citzen....

Light bars on police cars...what is your position? Should they be on

top of the cars or in the window? Most of the new Sheriff's Office vehicles

now have the lights inside the front window instead of on top of the car,

so if you are in front of them they are difficult to identify as a police vehicle.

Don Brenneman's Response

Thank you for your interest in my opinions about Public Safety in Calvert County. The question of light bars on the roof as opposed to inside the car is asked of me over and over again by citizens throughout the county. Research shows that there is very little advantage to having the light bar on the roof vs. the inside, but when it comes to the siren it’s a different story. The siren, if not mounted on the roof with the light bar, is mounted inside the front grill. When the siren is mounted in the grill it does not project as far as if it were mounted on the roof. One advantage of the light bar inside the car is that the car is not easily recognized as a police car. This is very effective for traffic units, or units that traditionally run radar, looking to blend in with other cars around them. This however is not effective when you are looking to be highly visible in a community. One of the reasons we have marked cars and identifiable uniforms is for the deterrent factor.

My opinion- light bars belong on the roof so that people recognize us as the police. My concept of policing is much different than the current administrations. I believe traffic enforcement is necessary and important, but it is not the sole reason for the existence of the Sheriff’s Office. Crime in our county continues to increase, and I would like the Deputies more visible rather than less visible.

As your elected Sheriff, I think it is my responsibility to be a good steward of the Sheriff’s Office and not squander the budget on useless items like colors of police cars and equipment to make us less visible. An agency the size of the Calvert Sheriff’s Office needs to appear bigger than they are not smaller. Please feel free to contact me with any issues or concerns, I will make myself available at any time.

Don Brenneman

Brenneman 4 Sheriff

It's time to VOTE!!!

As you are aware, today is the Maryland Primary. While I am running unopposed, I am still asking for your support and more importantly your VOTE. It is time we send a clear message to our current Sheriff; Calvert County demands a highly technical, well trained, ethical, and professional Sheriff's Department.

The current administration has had 8 years to serve Calvert County. It that time crime has continued to rise at an alarming rate. Calvert County has one of the highest crime increases in the State of Maryland. The current administration blames this trend on poor reporting, and the economy.

First, let me say the Sheriff's Department is responsible for reporting these numbers. Therefore, if it is poor reporting, who is responsible?

Second, the Sheriff blames the economy. Yesterday the FBI released it's national crime report. They reported a decrease in violent crime of 5.3% and decrease of property crimes of 4.6%. They specifically stated this decrease in crime was in SPITE of the economy.

The current administration is all about shifting responsibility and blaming others. Let's send a clear message that we want a Sheriff that stands up, takes responsibility and FIXES the problems.

Today when you vote, lets tell the current Sheriff that Calvert County can't afford another 4 years of his leadership. Let's tell him to start planning his retirement party.

Thank you for your continued support!

Don Brenneman

B & E it's worth mentioning again!

There are few worse fears to have than to know that a stranger has been in your home, and stolen your property. In the past year Calvert County has posted a 38% increase in burglary, which contributed to an 18 % overall increase in total crime. I see very little concern from citizens in the county about this dramatic rise in crime. The last thing we need in Calvert is to become complacent about crime, and accept that a 38% increase is normal. The surrounding jurisdictions have all posted reductions in crime rates. As these jurisdictions continue to focus on crime reduction, Calvert County will become the land of opportunity for the career criminal. Criminals will venture to locations where they will not be caught. When you see robberies and residential break-ins along your borders of other jurisdictions, these are tests of your law enforcement response. If they (the criminals) are successful, it is unlikely they will go away.

The most disturbing thing for me is to have to wait for the end of the year to learn that we have what is beginning to be a serious problem. I would rather know as soon as possible so that the community groups and neighborhood watch programs can organize and help our Sheriff’s Department combat rising crime. There are many things that a community can do instead of waiting and hoping the crime rate goes down. Demand from your elected officials a focused effort to reduce property crime in your neighborhoods and county. There are several web sites that offer up to date crime information. This information can be used to provide information to those in the community that are the eyes and ears. With a focused effort from our Sheriff’s Department based on up to date crime analysis, and the help of our communities, we can turn this around. It really is true that a Sheriff’s Department or Police Department is nothing without community support behind it. We just have not done a good job around here asking for it and utilizing it.

You deserve high quality police service

Vote Brenneman 4

A Reply to Mr. Bogner

We recently received an email from Mr. Bogner with several important questions. We felt many Calvert County Residents may have similar questions and would like to know where Mr. Brenneman falls on the issues. Below you will find the questions asked and Mr. Brenneman's answers. We always welcome questions from concerned voters and will do our best to answer inquiries.

August 19, 2010

Mr. Bogner,

Thank you for your giving me the opportunity to respond to your questions. Not everybody agrees with me, but I will give you my opinion regardless. I could take the easy way out and stay away from the tough questions by not answering them, or simply giving you the careful answer. Instead I have chosen to tell you what’s on my mind and maybe on some things, we may just have to agree to disagree, if that is the case.

Question #1

What is your opinion on the Oath Keepers organization? Unconstitutional laws are being passed by a Congress that doesn't vote the line of their constituents because they (career politicians) know what's best, and/or they don't even read the entire contents of the bills they are voting on. You, in the near future, may very well be directed to enforce unconstitutional law against law abiding citizens.

Answer

I believe in the Constitution and have sworn an oath to protect it for all of my adult life. There are bad politicians, lots of them, but there is also a healthy, fair, election system in this country that allows us the ability to vote out those politicians that do not pay attention to their constituents. There is a push and movement in this country currently to vote out of office all incumbents. The system does work; we just have to be patient sometimes for the political process to work in our favor.

With regard to the Oath keeper’s organization, I as I mentioned already, I am a sworn law enforcement officer and have taken an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States and will forever continue to do so. I have read through the (10 DO NOT OBEY Orders) of the Oath Keepers and they resemble currently what I have sworn to uphold with the exception of item number one. I believe in the right to bear arms, however I have taken an oath to the United States and the State of Maryland With regard to the upholding of laws, I will enforce the Maryland Annotated Code Article 36b, which covers wearing and carrying a firearm, while a sworn police officer in the State of Maryland. I have never participated in any unlawful unconstitutional action against anybody and will not do so in the future. I have and always will be an aide and friend to law abiding citizens.

Question #2

2.) What is your opinion on the event that recently happened up in the Baltimore area to the retarded citizen that was wrongfully operating his motorcycle by performing stunts on I-95. Granted he was violating the law, but was the Rambo plain clothes state trooper that jumped out of his unmarked car like a crazed lunatic with his service piece drawn justified? Was the procedure this officer (term used loosely) used from the moment he exited his unmarked car to the moment he discreetly stowed his weapon when he saw another officer pull onto the scene, proper and standard operating procedure in your mind? I would also like for you to elaborate the retaliatory wiretapping charges brought against the motorcyclist a week after the fact. If I'm openly recording video, IN PUBLIC, and happen to catch one of your deputies performing any of his duties in an unprofessional manner...can I expect you and your force to arrest, search and seize my property, and attempt to charge me with a violation of the MD wiretapping law? It seems to be a law that's intent is being loosely interpreted and expanded without actually changing the law. Maryland law does make it illegal to record a voice conversation without that person's consent. But it also makes exceptions for conversations conducted in public, where speakers have no expectation of privacy. A person may not "willfully intercept" what the law calls "oral communications." It defines "oral communications" as "any conversation or words spoken to or by any person in private conversation." More and more I read about citizens across the country being arrested for this type of thing...at the same time anyone of us can be arrested and your dash cam footage used as evidence in the court of law. Doesn't sound like fostering a good relationship between law enforcement and the public to me. Do you agree or disagree that it is lawful and Constitutional for a person to freely videotape in public?

This past June, a St. Mary's woman was arrested for making a cellphone recording of an arrest in process. State's Attorney Richard Fritz got it right by dropping charges, and just who is this deputy that can burst into someone's home and strong arm them over a legal/Constitutional cellphone recording:

Answer

I have learned one thing in my career and that is to know all of the facts before I judge anyone or come to a conclusion. While the incident you describe on I-95 sounds like an over reaction, I simply do not have the privilege of reading the statements and seeing the video evidence of the incident. I certainly do not have access to the officer’s personnel file to see if there is a history of this type of behavior. One thing is certain, if I am privileged to become the next Sheriff of Calvert County, I will not prejudge any citizen or officer without having all of the facts. The Sheriff’s Office simply cannot function without the assistance and working relationship with the community. Under my leadership, the Deputies will treat everybody with respect and dignity regardless of what they have been accused of.

As you are aware, law enforcement officers in the State of Maryland and many other states can record traffic stops and conversations with the violator. The policy of the law enforcement agency is that the officer first tells the citizen that they are being recorded. The first section of the Maryland wiretapping law restricts unlawful interceptions of “oral communications” to words spoken in a “private conversation.” This is often interpreted by a judge. Unfortunately there are many officers who mean well but are not completely well versed in all of the laws. The search and seizure laws have all evolved this way with many different rulings over the years. They have changed many laws regarding search and seizure and will likely change more. I think it is extremely important to take matters like these and have an opportunity for the men and women of the agency to learn from it. Since the search and seizure laws are likely to change, training and policy has to be current and reflect the changes that occur. I believe that most law enforcement officer s try to do the right thing, but like every other profession mistakes are made.

In conclusion, I will train my deputies to act as if they are always under the watchful eye of the citizens they are sworn to protect. It should not matter if you are being video taped on the scene of an incident, if you have nothing to hide. It is a different matter if the person videotaping the incident is hindering the officer or inciting people by doing so, then proper action will be taken.

Question #3

3.) What are your personal views pertaining to the 2nd amendment, castle doctrine in MD, and concealed carry.

Answer

Regarding the 2^nd amendment, as I have already mentioned in the above question, I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Maryland. As a law enforcement officer in the State of Maryland I will enforce Article 36b of the Annotated Code of Maryland which covers the wear and carry of firearms.

The Maryland Castle Doctrine is a version of the Castle Doctrines adopted by many states. The Castle Doctrine commonly referred to as the “make my day” doctrine covers the use of deadly force while protecting your home from invaders. I would hope that everybody thinks that the castle Doctrine is great because it gives people the security that the State will understand if “god forbid this type of incident confronts you.” I believe that protecting your home and family is your Divine right as long as your actions are reasonable, and it helps that the state also is on your side.

Mr. Bogner, thank you again for allowing me to give you my opinions. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. If you have any of these items that I did not cover sufficiently, please let me know and we could meet over a coffee and discuss them further.

Sincerely

Don Brenneman

Brenneman 4 Sheriff

***A recent anonymous comment was left on the 'Concerned Calvert County Resident' blog entry. The writer expresses many concerns regarding a quota system that has been implemented in the Sheriff's Department. Therefore, we felt it would be appropriate to post the comment as it's own entry, giving readers the opportunity to comment on the comment. ***

Please, say it ain’t so!

I was recently told that the Sheriff’s Department has instituted a quota system under the guise of a “point system.” What do I mean? I mean a system by which deputies are given points for activities like issuing traffic tickets, and in which deputies who don’t attain a pre set number of points -quota- can be disciplined or suffer other adverse action.

Please, please, please tell me that this is not the truth and that the Sheriff does not think that by simply calling the new quota system “point system” the residents of Calvert and the Courts in Calvert will not catch on. Only a true simpleton would fall for this one.

If there is indeed a point system I urge everyone who has or is going to receive a parking citation, moving violation, civil citation or other charge to ask these simple questions of the arresting deputy while that deputy is on the stand and under oath.

1. Is there any sort of point or quota system currently in force on the Sheriff’s Department?
2. Can you be disciplined or can your evaluation suffer because you don’t earn enough points?
3. If the system exists, can you honestly say that it played no part in your decision making process with regard to officer’s discretion in taking enforcement action?
4. No matter how they answer question number 3, suggest to the court that reasonable doubt as to the officer’s motivation to issue the ticket or make the arrest has been established, and the deputy may have in fact taken action not because you were in the wrong, but because he or she was subject to adverse action due to the Sheriff’s quota system.

Quota systems are illegal, and if in fact one exists, the State’s Attorney needs to look into it. I truly hope that it is not the case, but with this “we can do whatever we want” administration, I wouldn’t be surprised; I’d just be disappointed…again.

Don's Response

There are many different styles of managers and management, some that operate with the use of fear and punishment, and some that operate by training and rewarding appropriate behavior and productivity. In my experience, when you force employees to produce certain amounts of work, you lose quality. Some employee attempting to make their quota will find the easiest way to reach their particular minimum standard. The quota system is illegal and it leaves the law enforcement agency open to questions from the citizens on ethics.

I have been informed that the following point system is currently in practice in the Calvert County Sheriff's Office:

Citations- 2 points
Warnings-1 point
Controlled Dangerous Substance Arrest-10 points
Driving Under Influence Arrest-10 points
Traffic Arrest -5 points
Felony Arrest -15 points
Misdemeanor Arrest-10 points
Warrant Service -5 points
Reports Written- 3 points
Patrol Checks- 1 point
Criminal Civil Citations-5 points

Each Deputy must have 250 points per month. I am unfamiliar with the consequences suffered for not making the quota or point system, but I will tell you that I whole heartily disagree with this method of increasing productivity. I don't think you will get the benefit of focused enforcement from your deputies that is desperately needed in Calvert County, with this current system. Under my administration, I will have specific focused crime and traffic enforcement efforts, and I will require the Deputies to pay attention to achieving results. The COMPSTAT process everybody is referring to here lately has been around for quite a while, and if used correctly is very effective. In short, COMPSTAT is computer driven enforcement, analyzing crime and focusing on when and where your crime will occur. COMPSTAT is also very effective when applied to traffic. Rather than having officers write (250) points worth of tickets in any area just to reach the minimum, I would prefer the Deputies be given the information for the area according to statistics, that is most likely to have a traffic incident. After all, enforcement is not about numbers, it is about corrective action and ensuring the safety of our citizens. We should never look at our residents as a possible number to reach our quota, that is not why we are in the Law Enforcement business.

Now, I have to add that I will never tolerate laziness, there is no room for it, especially in these current fiscal times where we are required to do more with less. Morale plays a big part in productivity, that is why the current administration is having to force their Deputies to "produce or else." I have worked in a professional environment where there were quality supervisors and an energized work force, and it is truly a wonderful experience. I plan to work tirelessly to instill in my first line supervisors the importance of a professional agency that thrives on building and maintaining the morale of the Deputies. Creating an environment where quality work is rewarded and there is no misunderstanding what is expected of them. All of my efforts will go towards reducing crime and the fear of crime, while enhancing the quality of life in Calvert County.

Thank you,
Don Brenneman

Recently a comment was left on the blog regarding gang activity in Calvert County. We wanted to address the comment specifically. Below you will find the original comment followed by Don's response. As always - thanks for reading and voicing you vision for Calvert County.

Wallace Creations commented:

Hello, 1st I would like to say I enjoyed meeting you at the Josh Turner concert. The fact that you took the time out to actually hold conversation rather than shake hands, pass out a flyer, and keep moving was very impressive. I finally took the time to check out your web site and was further impressed. I am taking you up on your offer of posting any concerns or questions.

The question I have concerns the increasing gang activity in Calvert county. Does the sheriff's department currently have any plans to combat this growing problem? As elected official, would this be a priority or just something you would get around to when you could? Although my kids have grown, I have friends and family members that have been concerned for their sons.

Don's Response:

Gang activity fits in with my concept of community policing, if you know your community, you will know what gangs or crews are operating and where. That is why along with my Sheriff's advisory council, which will be made up of neighborhood association presidents and/or community leaders, I plan to have a Sheriff's youth council, made up of youth representatives from each area high school. I will meet with Sheriff's advisory council and the youth group on a monthly basis to help foster community based policing and to help our youth recognize the importance of community involvement. As adults, we sometimes neglect to involve our youth in the solutions which is very helpful in the long term verses "just putting out fires." Gang activity is a problem for everybody in the community and it will take a community effort to solve it. By utilizing the youth council and the Sheriff's advisory council I will reach out to the gangs and crews and find alternatives by way of activities. I will also utilize the total effort of the Sheriff' office to eliminate gang activity. Gangs that are allowed to operate for periods of time wreak havoc on neighborhoods and force people to live in fear, and I will not tolerate that for one minute.

An important element in recognizing gang activity and eliminating it is through graffiti identification. Once graffiti is observed, it has to be photographed and removed as soon as possible. There are programs in neighboring jurisdictions that I will utilize, where once the graffiti is photographed, public works responds with a power washer and other materials to eliminate the graffiti. This keeps the gang from establishing itself by marking their territory. The photograph is then turned over to the investigative unit to be analyzed. This is where an intelligence unit is helpful, and under my administration the intelligence will be collected and analyzed so each and every gang member is known.

Thank you for your post, gang activity is very important to me. During my tenure with the Maryland State Police, I held positions as a criminal investigator and was assigned to narcotics enforcement. In those two positions I was able to gain invaluable experience that will enable me to recognize,manage, and eliminate any gang activity in Calvert County. Our children are our most precious resource, and gang activity sucks the life from our communities and our young.

A Question of Uniforms

A recent comment was left on the blog regarding the current state of the CC Sheriff's Office uniforms. We have re-posted the comment into the body of this blog and we have also posted Don's view on the uniform policy. You can read Don's response following the anonymous comment.

Anonymous said...

Is there some sort of military operation or operation taking place in Calvert of which we the residents are unaware?

Every place I go recently I see olive-drab clad, military looking personnel who used to be Sheriff’s Deputies. While we are exporting thousands of trained law enforcement personnel to Iraq to train them to police our way, some misguided soles that apparently think the county is a war zone are creating “Fortress-Calvert.”

Come on, this is just getting silly. Sure we need folks trained and prepared for special emergency situations, but those are few and far between and account for an insignificant percentage of the calls run by deputies in our county.

I went into a restaurant the other day and I thought I was back in Saigon, olive drab uniforms as far as the eye could see, and what were my tax dollars doing be used to fund a platoon sized luncheon for the Sheriff’s Department anyway?

Come on folks, lets get back to reality here; this not an urban war zone, and when was the last time a SWAT team was needed for…..well anything?

I’d love to know how much money Sheriff Evans is squandering on this apparent uniform change; of course in the big scheme of things, that would be a drop in the bucket when it comes to fiscal irresponsibility in the current administration.

I’d demand an answer, but I’m sure the answer would be “It is a personnel matter,” or more to the point in their opinion, “None of your business!” Sure, my tax dollars but not my business. We will see about that nonsense come election day.

Don's Response...

One of the things that help a community identify who their police or deputies are is the uniform. I share your concern about the many different uniforms that I see as I travel through the county. I have always taken great pride in wearing a uniform and feel that the uniform, and how one wears it is the first sign of a professional organization worthy of the respect and pride from citizens. I also feel that the uniform helps instill a sense of tradition in an organization that helps foster pride, honor and professionalism. When the Sheriff’s Department is seen wearing a series of different uniforms, it promotes that there may not be any standards or rules and that there is a sense of instability. What we need from the Sheriff’s office is stability and confidence, and I will ensure that the standard uniform issue is resolved quickly, so that the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office can focus their attention on reducing the 18% crime increase in the county. Every single surrounding agency has posted significant reductions in all major crime categories with the exception of Calvert County. It makes me wonder what we are currently focused on, what to wear, or how we protect our citizens and their property.

I hear you!

Working Smarter

In today’s era of technology, information is powerful, data is powerful, and knowledge is powerful. But it is only powerful if it can be collected, analyzed, and implemented into a concise plan. Many of the criminals that prey on Calvert County already know this. They ‘test’ certain neighborhoods, they set off alarm systems, and they watch and wait to see what the response is from the Sheriff’s department. When they have gathered the information, they develop a plan and they set about targeting the locations they know are the weakest in response. This can be disheartening for a target neighborhood. The good news is, information and technology work both ways. The bad news is, the current administration is not leveraging technology to their advantage.

In the hands of a trained department, millions of bits of data can be culled, and organized to provide key information for enforcement. The information can be sorted by location, time of day, type of call (priority), and department response time. Once a clear picture of the problem is identified, decisions can be made and resources can be dedicated to solving the problem. Furthermore, patrol units can be given specific, detailed information regarding crime patterns and suspects. Good policing is about being proactive in day to day patrols rather than reactive.

This level of analysis does not have to be expensive. With today’s technology and computing power, crime analysis can be done in any size department. It simply takes the dedication to the process.

Bottom line: putting more deputies on patrol isn’t the answer. Making our deputies work more overtime isn’t the answer. Throwing tax payer dollars at gut instincts isn’t the answer. Having detailed, timely, and accurate information for our deputies to work from IS the answer. It is about working smarter NOT harder.

Concerned Calvert County Resident

***A recent anonymous comment was left on the 'Note from Don Brenneman' blog entry. The writer expresses many concerns that Don has for and about Calvert County. Therefore, we felt it would be nice to post the comment as it's own entry, giving readers the opportunity to comment on the comment. Don will post a follow-up on his original post addressing the issues raised by the anonymous comment, tomorrow 5/13/10. As always thank you for reading and expressing your concerns for the Calvert County Sheriff's Department. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work with you to bring light to these issues.***

Finally some common sense has come into the debate over how law enforcement in Calvert County should be managed. The simple fact that crime statistics continue to rise at the same time that the staffing level on the Sheriff’s Department rises indicated a huge problem, and an equally huge waste of county taxpayer’s dollars.

We don’t need endless specialized units, more deputies behind desks, away at specialized training or conferences or otherwise not providing a substantial and visible presence among the community in Calvert County. When was the last time you saw a marked sheriff’s vehicle patrolling your neighborhood back streets, and when was the last time a deputy stopped to talk to you and find out what was going on in the community and what your concerns were? I can tell you that it has been a very long time indeed since I had that kind of positive experience with the department.

There seems to me to be a shocking lack of responsiveness and accountability within the current leadership of the Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff was, in my opinion, evasive with the public and media about the recent porn scandal, and appears the feel that elected officials are not as accountable as appointed officials. You can bet an official that could only keep his or her job in the short term based upon their performance would not have hidden behind rhetoric about personnel guidelines and privacy rights. OK, there is no need to name manes, a certain level of privacy is legitimate, but to arrogantly stonewall as he did is unacceptable, and come election time, his accountability clock may very well start to tick.

This is what I want. I want a Sheriff who is responsive and accountable to the voters and taxpayers who put him-or her- in office. I want a Sheriff’s Department that addresses my needs, even if it means giving up the high profile assignments for mundane things, like working with the public that they are sworn to protect.

I strongly support my Sheriff’s Department and its deputies, but maybe it is time for a change of course;. Maybe it is time to get back to basics. Sheriff Evans, please give me a logical and reasonable explanation as to why you spent my tax dollars expanding both the size of your agency and; oddly enough, the number of crimes committed in my county? Seriously, as citizens and taxpayers we should be taking to the streets about this. There is NO excuse.

Yes, I am political. Yes I DO have an agenda, and YES I do think it is time for a change, because what is going on now is simply not working.

A Note from Don Brenneman

To the citizens of Calvert County

I have had the privilege of serving in the law enforcement community for the past thirty-five years. My tenure, both with the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland State Fire Marshall’s Office, has been that of a diversified and rewarding career. Some of the positions that I have held were with the Criminal Investigations Division, the Intelligence Division and the Executive Protection Unit which secured the well being of our State officials. In 1987 I was assigned to the Prince Frederick Barracks whereupon I decided to make Calvert County my home. I first established residence in the Chesapeake Beach area and subsequently built a home in Prince Frederick. Our community is unique in many ways, with its rich rural environment, our waterways which surround three sides of our borders, and our proximity to our Nation’s Capital.

Calvert County has and is a rich and diversified community. Our citizen’s want to rest assured that when they leave for work their families and property will remain safe and secure. Over the past five years I have noticed an alarming increase in criminal activity within our community, with no relief in sight. The days of leaving our doors unlocked while visiting our neighbors and families are over. While surrounding counties are reporting a decrease in criminal activity, Calvert County is reporting an increase. We cannot continue to accept this fact. We have given the current administration eight years to protect and serve our community and they have failed. Do we really deserve another four years of this type of service?

Once in office, I will work towards increasing the number of uniformed deputies patrolling our neighborhoods. This, along with an educational and outreach programs for our citizens, will effectively decrease the number of breaking and entering and crimes against property incidents. To further reduce criminal activity I look to create a Calvert County Sheriff’s Department (sub)station/office in the Dunkirk area. This will assist in the response time for our deputies and improve their visibility and availability.

Also, we will create and implement new partnerships within our community and shall always avail ourselves to your concerns and suggestions. Crime prevention and public safety is a partnership. Join our team and make Calvert County a safer community.

Gary Lee Fillmann

Official Obituary:

Gary Lee Fillmann, 59, of Prince Frederick, MD passed away suddenly on April 18, 2010 at his residence. Gary was born July 16, 1950 in Washington, D.C. to George and Dorothy Viola (Stine) Fillmann.

Gary was a graduate of Central High School in Seat Pleasant, MD, and was employed with Safeway Stores for 25 years. He was currently employed with the State of Maryland as a fire safety inspector for the State Fire Marshall’s Office. Gary coached girl’s softball in Prince Frederick for 32 years and was one of the founders of the Bayside Blues softball team. He umpired softball for the U.S.S.A.A. for fourteen years and was the President of the Little League Umpire’s Association. When Gary was not working, coaching softball, or spending time with his family, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister Dorothy Viola Thomas.

He is survived by his beloved wife of thirty nine years, Donna Lynn (Kimble) Fillmann; two devoted daughters, Linda (Don) Frick of Prince Frederick, MD and Sherri (Danny) Catlett of Lusby, MD; four loving grandchildren, Madeline and Olivia Frick and Ashleigh and Lillian Catlett. Gary is also survived by two brothers, George (Louise) Fillmann of Grand Isle, VT and Melvin Fillmann of New Oxford, PA.

A Personal Note:

Gary was truly loved by all that knew him. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. He will be missed.

Please keep the Fillmans, Fricks, Catletts, and all of Gary's friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Breaking and Entering

There are few worse fears to have than to know that a stranger has been in your home, and stolen your property. In the past year Calvert County has posted a 38% increase in burglary, which contributed to an 18 % overall increase in total crime. I see very little concern from citizens in the county about this dramatic rise in crime. The last thing we need in Calvert is to become complacent about crime, and accept that a 38% increase is normal. The surrounding jurisdictions have all posted reductions in crime rates. As these jurisdictions continue to focus on crime reduction, Calvert County will become the land of opportunity for the career criminal. Criminals will venture to locations where they will not be caught. When you see robberies and residential break-ins along your borders of other jurisdictions, these are tests of your law enforcement response. If they (the criminals) are successful, it is unlikely they will go away.

The most disturbing thing for me is to have to wait for the end of the year to learn that we have what is beginning to be a serious problem. I would rather know as soon as possible so that the community groups and neighborhood watch programs can organize and help our Sheriff’s Department combat rising crime. There are many things that a community can do instead of waiting and hoping the crime rate goes down. Demand from your elected officials a focused effort to reduce property crime in your neighborhoods and county. There are several web sites that offer up to date crime information. This information can be used to provide information to those in the community that are the eyes and ears. With a focused effort from our Sheriff’s Department based on up to date crime analysis, and the help of our communities, we can turn this around. It really is true that a Sheriff’s Department or Police Department is nothing without community support behind it. We just have not done a good job around here asking for it and utilizing it.

You deserve high quality police service

Vote Brenneman 4 Calvert County Sheriff