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Police officer, board members say housing and staffing for island patrols are strained
Summary
Board members and a police officer discussed how limited, costly housing on the peninsula complicates recruiting and retaining seasonal marine and patrol staff; one member said a part‑time officer position functioned as 40 hours weekly in summer.
A police officer told the board on April 7 that housing on the peninsula is scarce and unaffordable, complicating recruitment for patrol positions. "Housing is so hard for people to find out here and afford," the officer said.
The comment came during a broader discussion among board members about staffing for marine and seasonal roles. Committee member (S2) said Knox County has placed deputies on the island using stipend-backed housing: "I think Knox County has a couple positions on the island that I think they stipend or have procured a property that the deputy can live in while they're employed there." He added he had not heard of that practice for regular patrol positions.
Committee member (S4) described how a part-time marine officer position effectively became full time in summer: "Even though it was considered a part time officer, it was basically 40 hours a week in the summer," he said, adding the position had "no hours in winter." Members discussed the possibility of reallocating hours or reexamining slots for a dedicated harbor master separate from marine patrol staffing.
The discussion identified two operational pressures: limited affordable housing for staff on the peninsula and seasonal workload that concentrates hours in busy months while leaving gaps in winter. No formal motion or vote on staffing changes was recorded in the transcript; members said they could reopen the item and vote again if needed.
