As the Town Council continues poring over the proposed budget, one new cost the town is potentially facing is a charge for state police coverage. Traditionally, the Rhode Island State Police have sent troopers to the island to augment the local police force during the busy summer months. Town Manager Maryanne Crawford explained to the Town Council on March 28 that a “manpower issue” was affecting the state police, and that it had been suggested the town pay for the trooper presence. Crawford stated that her position was that “we have state roads here. In my opinion, they are required to patrol state roads.”
The police department had requested $85,000 for this item, but currently it is not being recommended in the proposed budget. Crawford said she was still in negotiations with the State Police on the issue.
Second Warden Sven Risom said he found it “troubling” that the town was being put into this position, considering the “good relationship” the town has historically enjoyed with the State Police. He agreed that the island had state roads with state-level responsibility, and “we don’t ask for much for them.”At the public hearing on March 30, Crawford elaborated that the
