Public Safety

Brunswick has been fortunate in its police department.

The BPD has kept the peace when other cities’ police have struggled. Brunswick’s growth will test it, though.

More people can mean more problems, but not if the police force can keep up with the population increase and remain dedicated and professional. The Mayor and Council help with that in two ways: providing resources and setting expectations.

A good police force is a well-funded one. But it needs to be funded in the right ways. Priority should go to making sure officers earn a competitive salary so that Brunswick can recruit the best. Just as important is to fund good, rigorous training so that the best are at their best.

A good police force is a well-funded one. But it needs to be funded in the right ways.

Then the priority turns to equipment. There, we should focus on the essentials and avoid expensive boondoggles. A small city’s police department doesn’t need to look like a SEAL team, but it does need lifesaving necessities, like body armor, first aid kits, and naloxone (Narcan) to treat overdoses.

The expectation is simple: that the BPD continue to be part of the community and not set itself apart as the community grows. We shouldn’t give our police officers duties outside of public safety, but we can expect them to be out and about and getting to know people, one citizen to another.

Officers who are well-led, well-trained, well-compensated, and well-integrated into the community will do their job well: keeping crime down while respecting the rights of the people they serve. I’ll do my part as a city councilman to keep the BPD on that track.

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