(6/1) Police lauded for 'safe city' status

Thurmont Mayor Kinnaird presented police Chief Gregory Eyler with a certificate honoring the police department in response to Thurmont having been declared to be the fifth safest city in Maryland at the town council's May 5 meeting.

Taneytown has been recognized as the top "safest city in Maryland" for 2020 by SafeWise, according to the organization's website, with Thurmont placing fifth.

"I think that our police department plays a paramount role in our community safety and crime prevention in our town. I want to commend you (the chief) and your officers for a great job, well, done, and we have what I believe is a fantastic police department," Mayor Kinnarid stated.

The police chief said that he wanted to thank all the members of the police department, sworn and civilian. "They make me look good," he said.

COVID status briefly discussed

Commissioner Marty Burns at the town council's May 5 meeting "This pandemic has been, in our lifetime, a tragic event, (and) something we'll remember for the rest of our lives

Burns said that elected officials, the governor, the president have had to make some real draconian changes to try and protect the lives and the well-beings of all.

Regarding police activity in relation to the pandemic, police Chief Gregory Eyler said Thurmont police have not seen any increase in any kind of criminal activity not normally seen.

Chief Eyler said, "We've had only a few complaints since all this (shelter-in-place) has started as far as businesses opening up. I've been in contact with the health department on numerous occasions and all that has been taken care of."