Anne Arundel County police officers could work part-time at restaurants and bingo halls with liquor and gaming licenses if the County Council approves a bill making it legal tonight.
“I think this is a commonsense bill,” said Council Chairman Ronald Dillon, R-District 3. “It?s been done in the past, and I don?t think there will be a whole lot of opposition to it.”
The ethics commission determined in July that a conflict of interest might exist if off-duty officers work for a company regulated by Anne Arundel.
The bill was sponsored by four council members ? which is enough votes for approval ? and was drafted by County Executive John R. Leopold?s office.
Councilman Daryl Jones, D-District 1, joined Councilmen Jamie Benoit and Josh Cohen in an attempt to amend the bill allowing officers to work at bars, which went against Leopold?s bill that prohibited secondary employment at places where alcohol was the primary source of revenue.
But Fraternal Order of the Police President O?Brien Atkinson asked that the amendment be
removed because it circumvented the deal negotiated with
Leopold.
“As much as I would want to see[the amendment] happen, the county executive stepped up and worked with us, and it would be a little bit disingenuous to have the council change that,” Atkinson said.
The secondary employment bill is one of many proposals the council will consider tonight, including:
» Modifying the county?s sign law to prohibit flashing electronic signs, sponsored by Benoit, D-District 4, and Cohen, D-District 6. The bill was not well received by many on the council;
» Requiring developers to host meetings within five miles of the proposed project, sponsored by Benoit, Cohen, Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, and Dillon on behalf of Leopold;
» Requiring tougher adequate roads tests for small housing developments on four of the county?s peninsulas, sponsored by Dillon on behalf of Leopold;
» Providing money for FluMist for public elementary school students and financial assistance for bus operator Corridor Transportation Corp.
IF YOU GO
» What: Anne Arundel Council meeting
» When: 7 tonight
» Where: Arundel Center, 44 Calvert St., Annapolis
