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Resident warns of police staffing shortfalls and blocked emergency access after neighborhood fire
Summary
A resident told the council the Georgetown Police Department is understaffed compared with its authorized strength and described a recent structure fire where vehicles and road conditions prevented fire apparatus from reaching the scene.
Mark Rogers, a Georgetown resident, told the Town Council the Georgetown Police Department is authorized for 25 officers but has fewer on patrol and urged the council to address staffing shortfalls.
"The Georgetown Police Department is approved for 25 officers. Did anyone up there recognize how many officers they have right now and how many they have on the road? 17, but only 15 on the Road. They are 10 officers short," Rogers said during public comment.
Rogers also described a recent structure fire at Little Langford where responders could not get a fire truck to the property because of parked vehicles and potholes. He said firefighters had to stop about 300 feet away and that what normally takes less than 60 seconds to make entry would have taken roughly four minutes under the conditions he described.
Rogers said he contacted Councilman Evans about the access problem and asked for follow up; he requested an email with information on what the council or staff had reviewed. The transcript records Rogers asking for follow up but does not record any formal council response or motion on staffing or roadway access.
Rogers asked the council to consider steps to support police response times and to address roadway conditions that could impede emergency vehicles.
