Heather Finnell From: Sent: To: Subject:  Mary Vail Ware marywalw@gmal.com, Friday, June 14, 2024 11:28 AM Heather Finnell Fwd: Comments for. June 7th meeting  Good morning Ms. Finnell and Happy Friday.  Mr. Myers very kindlyresponded to my e-mail concern about the detective position andlappreciated Transparencyl in government is veryi important tor me, sO please include his e-mail and my response in the  hearing his thoughts. next meetingrecord. Take care, MaryVail  Forwarded message  From: Mary' Vail Ware maryalwogmal.com> Date: Fri, Jun 14, 2024 at 11:24AM Subject: Re: Comments for. June 7th meeting To: mmyense@gmali.com,  Thank you for your email, I very much appreciate your response, though it certainly wasn't required. As a voter in the community, Iam OK sharing whatIam concerned about and you as an elected Ilead contracts for the US Department of Justice providing training and technical assistance around crime prevention, intervention, and recovery for communities across the nation, and respectfully disagree with your assessment around the role of a detective in a community. The assessment is solely based on reported numbers and not on the evidence based processes necessary in ensuring In its most recent published annual survey the US Bureau of Justice Statistics asks crime victims whether they reported their crime to police. It found that in 2022, only 41.5% of violent crimes and We frankly almost didn't report the theft of our fishing cart, because it was evident to us that the Holden Beach Police Department did not have the resources to find it. No doubt there were other thefts from public accesses that day and some probably went unreported. There are no cameras on the public accesses, and even if the town had them, there are no resources to review the tape. Ifan arrest was made, it doesn't seem the town has officers with the time to dedicate to Detectives have dediçated time to delve into patterns of crime and learn about emerging trends in crime that are heading to our communities. Their job is not simply responsive. Since most crimes  official get to vote how you like irrespective of my concerns.  safer communities.  31.8% of household property crimes were reported to authorities.  testifying in court, especially during the busy summer season.    are committed by a few people, identifying them quickly and with solid evidence that ensures conviction, prevents further crime. Tasks needed to do this include crime mapping, the ability to review camera footage, the ability to work with neighboring jurisdictions on task forces and multi- jurisdictional cases, witness location and interviewing, mutual aid, etc. Crime doesn't stop or start at the bridge, sO working alongside other LE from other jurisdictions is critical to promoting community safety. The time to do these tasks is not generally available to patrol officers with any consistency in Hiring for law enforcement is extremely competitive in the current environment. More people are leaving law enforcement than are entering it across the country. The failure to hire a detective who can participate in multi-jurisdictional responses and task forces sends a message that the Town of Holden Beach does not support law enforcement resources. It messages that there is no appreciation for their work or opportunity for advancement to those that might apply for law Iam sure this is not the intention. However, in spite of good intentions, this is how it presents to those inside and outside the community who may have considered joining the police force or those On a macro level, the Town of Holden Beach has very little to offer our neighboring jurisdictions int the The very few dollars saved by your decision are far less than the benefit to the entire community. Crime ise expensive. Not onlyi is there the direct cost (bodily injury or property) the indirect costs of a diminished perception of safety and security, fractured cooperation with surrounding) jurisdictions, decreased property values due to perceptions, loss of renters that help our tax base, a dry pipeline of town staffing, Icompletely understand the desire to base decision making on a discrete data set. Using discrete instead of comprehensive information to make decisions ignores the outward and forward ripple  any community.  enforcement or any position within the town.  residents, property owners, and visitors who value community safety.  way of mutual aid, which mighti impact how they choose to assist us in the future.  etc. far outweigh the expense of astaff position.  effect of governmental policy and practice in communities for years to come.  This decision isy yours to make, though it is unfortunate.  Take good care and see you soon,  Mary Vail  On Fri, Jun 14, 2024 at 9:38 AM tmmyerss@gmalcom wrote: Thanks for your message and your concerns about Holden Beach.  Unfortunately (orfortunately)! Idon'tbelieve our crime numbers over the past two years justify the need fora a new fulltime detective position, andIdon'tfeel iti is prudent to hire a new resource when we don't have enough work to keep them busy. My opinion is based on the data ini the chart below along with the understanding that fulltime detectives typically work around 100 serious cases a year (i.e., notincluding  misdemeanors).  2    Crime  2022 Solved  2023 Solved $2.240 a 515.800 12 $7.050 4 $2.000! $72.035 1 $1.885 3 s0 41 $101,010  Reported $ 14 $7.904 $68.741 13 $2.600 $2.305.000 4 $391.236 a $8.150 10 so 1Unk 55 $2.804.834  $ $415 $68.500 $2.500 $2.305.000 $5.000 $5.250 so so  Reported $  Misdemeanor Larceny FelonyLarcery Breakin & Entorng/ Damaite SrucurwDunefires Financiatz CedCird/ldeny Work mplomentRelated Domestic icel dumpint Totals  18 $2,386.665  Please note that a detective doesn't prevent crimes, they only solve them after they occur. We have a  greater need tot fill our existing open position for a patrol officer.  Iwas hoping for an option that would allow us to have detective capabilities on a parttime basis, but no alternative arrangements were presented for consideration. Ifthis situation changes and a viable new  approach is available,'would not hesitate to fundi it.  Best regards, Tom  3    Heather Finnell From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject:  Carlton Pittman rucpitt@gmail.com> Sunday, June 16, 20248:39PM Heather Finnell Holden; David Hewett  Rick Paarfus; Rick Smith; Page Dyer; Tom Myers; Tacy/tromasegmatcom: Alan  2024-2025 Budget Public Feedback June BoC Meeting  The two greatest assets this town has are town employees, and the beach. As Istated previously, without town employees, and the work they doi individually and collectively, not one single person Town employees deserve more than a 1.82% MERIT increase. For YEARS, mosti if not all of our town employees were underpaid, significantly in some cases. It took a mid-year adjustment in. January: 2023 and al beginning year additional adjustment in. July 2023 to getmany employees to the bottom of their pay scale, of the midpoint at best. If you do not continue appropriate staff salary and wage adjustments, we risk not only town employees falling further behind again, or worse, a place where no one wants to work. How will we replace staff that leave in the coming years if we returni to sub-par pay scales? You have, justs said to all town employees they they did not do a good job last year, and thati is simply NOT There is no reason to implement ai tax reduction at this point, other than patting) yourself on the back, when the town is still staring as several expensive projects, and another ini the stormwater projectin the immediate future. A one cent reduction amounts to a total of $100 tax deduction on a million dollar Town Manager Hewett proposed a balanced budget thati included roughly a 5% MERIT increase for town Commissioner Myers rani for office stating repeatedly that his words "we have a 30 to 40% budget variance and that is not acceptable to me". In one of the very first budget meetings, after explanation of FOUR line items by town staff that were placeholders - again - Commissioner Myers' words -"well there's your budget variance". There IS no and' WAS no budget variance. It was simply his not understanding, or refusing to understand budgeting in and for a small town. Commissioner Myers stated to me that you waited 10 years to run for office here to be prepared for the job. This has proven woefully incorrect. For several months Commissioner Myers stated publicly during budget meetings that "it appears we have a revenue problem". Not only did we not have a revenue or spending problem, we have a budget SURPLUS, balanced budget. This town has plenty of money, and plenty of money to fund a detective position. AND staff pay increases. Penny wise and pound foolish comes to mind. We do not have a Commissioners Myers and' Thomas have repeatedly tried for months tot find a Gotcha or Ah Ha moment int the town budget. It Does NOT Exist. They have been through the entire budget with a fine toothed  could live here, visit here, rent al house here, or own or run a business here.  true, and not acceptable. Merit- -P performance...  home. Put that money towards staff salary increases or the detective position. employees. The proposed budget could have and should have been approved as is.  revenue problem, we have al leadership problem.  1    comb, and TMK, noti found one single thing out of place, nefarious, misspent orr misappropriated. How far Commissioners Myers stated when shoving all of the budget meetings on the schedule that "no actions will be taking during these workshops",yet Commissioners Myers and Thomas have done sO repeatedly. And did sO again lastV Wednesday night. Is there ANY reason a single person should believe anythingthey Commissioners Myers wrote in email, now available publicly viai the FOIAI request, and also reported in the Brunswick Beacon that "we don't trust town staff". How dare you? You owe every: single town employee a public apology. Idoubt you have the guts to do it, but you should stand up publicly and Iwelcome any feedback you have. Idon't particularly like being sO critical. When you repeatedly state one thing, then do the opposite over and over, simplyto force your will onto the town, thati is not  doyoui intend to take this farcical approach in managing town affairs?  say?  apologize to every single town employee.  leadership. Carlton    Heather Finnell From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: To:  Carlton Pittman rucpitt@gmailcom> Sunday, June 16, 2024.4:29PM Heather Finnell Tacy/Ahnomasegmailzom  mmyets56@gmail.com, Rick Paarfus; Page Dyer; Rick Smith; Alan Holden; Police Detective Public Comment June 2024 Board Meeting  Commissioners Myers and Thomas, who voted to remove the requested detective position from the proposed One of the number one responsibilities of elected officials is to provide resources to protect the people and their property. Commissioners Myers and Thomas have done ai terrible disservice to the entire community in refusingt to support our police chief and police officers. There is plenty of room in the town managers budget for a detective. Byt the numbers noted below, we average almost 1 crime a week that should or needs to bei investigated. As single investigation can take days, weeks, or even months. Police do not PREVENT crime, they show up AFTER a crime has been committed to clean upi the mess. How long do Commissioners Myers and' Thomas plan to wait to approve a detective for the town until we have MORE crime? How much more crime willi it take to convince Myers Chief Dixon stated a detective would also have other duties as assigned working festivals, holiday and vacation coverage and the like. We spent over $100k in overtime last year for police salaries. A detective would give us additional coverage potential as the town was short 2 patrol officers for over 2 years and still has an open patrol Commissioner Myers ran for office stating the intent to put property owners and residents first. Ihave not heard, spoken to, or read as single comment from anyone that we should not have a detective. Ini fact, Commissioners Myers and Thomas are the ONLY ones to say we: should not have a detective position. Commissioner Myers stated during the election and since, that he was going to listen toi the public- which Myers has repeatedly said, and now are refusing to do what he stated publicly. This proves Commissioners Myers and Thomas are just going toi impose their will ont thet town regardless of town residents and owners opinions or input. That is sad, and a horrible way to  2024-2025 budget.  and Thomas?  officer position that should bei filled.  lead or govern. Respectfully Carlton Pittman  On6/14/2024: 9:42 AM, tmmyers56@gmat.comwrote:  Carlton,  Thanks for your message. and your concerns about Holden Beach.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) Idon't believe our crime numbers over the past twoy years justify the need for a newi fulltime detective position, and Idon'tf feel iti is prudent tol hire a new resource when we don'thave enough work to keep them busy. My opinion is based on1 the datai in the chart below    along witht the understanding that fulltime detectives typically work around 100 serious casesa  year (i.e., noti including misdemeanors).  Crime  2022 $ Solved 1 5A94 580.744 15 52.800 52.305.000 4 $391.235 3 56.150 10 so Urk 55 $2.804.834  2023 Sc 52.240 5 $15.800 12 $7.050 - $2.000 $72.035 1 $1.665 S0 41 $101.010  Reported  S $415 558.500 $2:500 2.305.000 55.000 $5.250 S0 S0J  Reported $  Msoumcanor Larcun, Faurvuarcery Broakm aE Creng/Damage EructawDurcfirs Fnarcaly QwurCird/ldany Mork mpl,emRetn Domustic opdumping Totals  18 $2.386.665  Please notei that a detective doesn'tp prevent crimes, they only solve them after they occur. We Iwas hoping for an option that would allow us to have detective capabilities on a parttime basis, but no alternative arrangements were presented for consideration. Ifthis situation changes and a  have a greater need to fill our existing open position for a patrol officer.  viable new approach is available, lwill notl hesitate to fundi it.  Best regards, Tom  2    Heather Finnell From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject:  Sylvia Pate ywarpateegmai.com, Tuesday, June 18, 202411:03AM Heather Finnell Page Dyer  Alan Holden; Rick Smith; mmyets6@gmai.com, tracey thomas; paarfus@gmail.com;  Comments for 6/18/2024 Meeting  Please include as Comments Regarding Budget Ordinance There are three points I would like to make regarding the adoption  of the proposed budget ordinance:  First, it is wonderful that the Town of Holden Beach is in a financial situation wherein our budget actually reflects we have a surplus contrary to information that has been shared publicly by some. However, that surplus needs to be guarded carefully as we do have a lot of projects/issues that are going to need to be addressed in the near future that are not currently budgeted for (i.e. storm water study recommendations, extra needed for lift station upgrade, recommendations from water study, what to do about Block Q other than restrooms, what to do about a pavilion, what to do about additional boat trailer parking/additional car parking, what to do about addressing the needs of the fire station, pier property project and just general maintenance of items and the list goes on). Given all of these ssues/projects, now is not the time to lower the tax rate by one cent and then have to turn around and possibly raise it later just to say you lowered the tax rate. A one cent tax rate reduction would result in a small savings to the taxpayers of Holden Beach (for example, a property valued at $1 million, you are only talking about $100) which like myself, I think most taxpayers would say to just keep it and take care of the items that need addressing  to move our Town forward in a positive manner.  1    Secondly, the Chief of Police has expressed that his department needs a detective, therefore I think you should trust your Manager and Department Head's recommendation and leave the detective position and associated costs in the budget as it was proposed. It think you have received enough commentary regarding this item, that you should honor the wishes of the  taxpayers of Holden Beach.  Last, the staff of Holden Beach work hard and many do the jobs of multiple people. You should support and reward those deserving of a merit increase. Hiring and retaining staff in today's world is difficult at best SO we need to retain the ones we have. Five percent (5%) was proposed for merit increases but was reduced to 1.8%, therefore I recommend you adjust the proposed budget to fund the merits at 5% rather than the 1.8% that is currently  proposed.  Even with these 3 recommendations, you still have a balanced budget and additional funds available that could be appropriated or left in the General Fund as needed as well as surplus balances in  the BPART and Water/Sewer Funds. Thank you for your consideration.  SYLVIA PATE  111 Charlotte Street/Holden Beach  2