Hamlet’s former town marshal is questioning some of the police department’s current operations. Frank Lonigro recently told the town council that he often sees Hamlet Police patrolling U.S. 30 outside the town limits, something that wasn’t allowed when he was with the department.
“If you are out on a Friday or Saturday night, you will see one or two squad cars running 30,” Lonigro said. “One goes all night long, the whole time he’s out there.”
Lonigro noted that looking for potential speeders on U.S. 30 leads to wear and tear on the town’s vehicles, higher fuel costs, and more time that the officers have to spend in court. Beyond that, Town Attorney Martin Bedrock added that it’s not what the town’s officers are paid for.
Council members said their understanding is that Hamlet Police would only head out onto U.S. 30 if specifically called there by dispatchers. Otherwise, it’s up to county or state police.
Council Member Brian Earnest pointed out that Hamlet Police had issued 11 speeding tickets on U.S. 30 just on the night of Memorial Day. He wanted to follow up with Town Marshal Clint Norem, who wasn’t in attendance at the last meeting.
