At this time, there's no federal reimbursement planned for Frederick County law enforcement agencies for security costs associated with the G8 Summit. But some local lawmakers are stepping forward to help change that.
The Legislative Delegation to Annapolis has sent a letter to Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, County Commissioners' President Blaine Young, and Mayor Randy McCLement of Frederick, Mayor Marty Burns of Thurmont, and Mayor Don Briggs of Emmitsburg, offering their services in securing some kind of compensation. "The fact that it's dropped in our lap like this, I think the federal government should be able to step up and help us with any overtime or any type of extra security measures that are taking place," says State Senator David Brinkley, the delegation's chairman.
Brinkley says he and other local legislators can intervene with state and federal officials to help get some sort of compensation. "There's a mechanism that we can use that we can contact our state executives, our state agencies, as we pursue any type of federal assistance for what's going on," he says. "The whole point of the letter was to reach out and offer any type of assistance that they feel they may need either through my office, or any member of the delegation."
Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine says he has heard that the department may not receive any reimbursement for the costs incurred due to the G8 summit, but he considers that a "tentative" answer, and not a "definitive" answer. However, he continues to work with his officers to keep the city safe during the high-level talks, and to make sure that 1st-Amendment rights are protected. "Obviously, first and foremost, is doing the appropriate planning and ensuring we have team work and cooperation among agencies, communication among agencies," he says. "Those cost issues will obviously be determine later."
Chief Dine says right now, there are no cost estimates on providing security in Frederick during the G8. "All of those costs will be tracked," he says.
He also expects elected officials in Washington will be contacted regarding compensation for the work of local agencies in providing security during the summit, which takes place at Camp David near Thurmont on May 18-19.
Senator Brinkley was asked why shouldn't the taxpayers in Frederick County foot the entire bill for these talks. "Heck, I don't want to bear the burden for the G8, us alone," he responded. "And I don't it's fair for Frederick County, Washington County, or even the people of Adams County {Pa.} and any other surrounding jurisdictions to bear the brunt of some of the security and some of the extra costs that going on with this."
Both Sheriff Chuck Jenkins and Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine says they've not receive any information that some individuals are coming to Frederick County to cause trouble, but they say they're making preparations just in case.
