Patrick Ervin
patrickervin@ddtonline.com
Based on the cryptic yet very telling dialogue during the Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, law enforcement is the most consequential issue of the day in the town of Hollandale. The topic arose from the Washington County Sheriff Department’s regular report given by Chief Deputy Billy Barber. “We’ve been getting calls from citizens who have concerns,” Barber said. “And
we are more than willing to assist. But the request needs to come from the city.” Apparently during a festival over the Memorial Day weekend challenged the Hollandale Police Department’s ability to respond quickly to various happenings. Members of the board turned to District 5 Supervisor Jerry Redmond who represents Hollandale. Questions surfaced as to why the supervisor hadn’t engaged the
town about the concern. To which Redmond replied, “I haven’t been to a board meeting in Hollandale since they tarred and feathered me,” he joked. “But that’s why I invited Mrs. (Angela) Warren here to
shed some light on the matter.” Warren is one of Hollandale’s newest aldermen and as she was walking towards the podium, Warrensaid, “I really didn’t come here to speak today-just to observe. We really need a police chief or certified deputy to assist us in Hollandale.” After Warren explained the leadership void in law enforcement in the town, members of the BOS bantered back and forth about possible solutions. Board President Carl McGee said, “The Sheriff is always willing to lend whatever support he can to all of our municipalities. But he is limited in what he can do.” Ward 4 Supervisor Mala Brooks offered, “May we can consider some type of partnership where funds can be used to pay for a deputy to provide the law enforcement leadership needed-just some food for thought.” The discussion ended with Warren invited members of the BOS to the Hollandale city board meeting at 6 p.m. om Wednesday, June 7. Despite being vague in their discussion other than the need for a police chief, it is obvious that law enforcement in Hollandale is a clear and present matter. “We escaped this holiday weekend by the skin of our teeth,” Redmond said.
