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Mount Airy seeks cost-effective law enforcement

By WTOP Staff

If Mount Airy forms an independent police force, the town would opt out of a long-term law enforcement plan with Maryland State Police, a contract expected to increase in cost by 20 to 30 percent in the next fiscal year.

A police task force in Mount Airy is looking for cost-effective ways to keep residents safe as costs increase for its current law enforcement program. Included in a growing list of options is the formation of an independent police force in a town with a growing population. Mayor Patrick T. Rockinberg commissioned the three-member group months ago to research policing options.

“This year we had a huge increase in the cost for our state police,” he said. “Part of the problem is that they were going to continue to escalate.”

This year’s Maryland State Police contract cost the town $536,896, according to state police records. Rockinberg commissioned a task force experienced in law enforcement and finance. Members include retired Montgomery County police officer Robert Disinger, retired Howard County officer Gregory R. Scott and former banker Rick Blatchford.

The Maryland State Police Resident Trooper Program became a law enforcement staple for the community decades ago. Established in 1968, the program provides contractual law enforcement services to counties and municipalities.

Task force members say costs associated with the program are expected to reach about $800,000 in the next fiscal year, and it is time to explore options for the town, which is split between Frederick and Carroll counties.

“They said once it’s gone it’s gone, perhaps it’s a program that may have run its course,” Disinger said. “That’s a decision the town fathers are going to have to make.”

A number of possibilities are being added to a comprehensive report, scheduled to be presented to residents early next year. If an independent police department is formed, task force members say start-up costs would be significant and they are still working on figures related to the idea.

“We don’t own a badge or a button,” Disinger said. “We have to start from nothing and buy the cars and everything else.”

Another option would call for a contract with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office or the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Resident deputies could turn out to be a more economical option than resident troopers, task force members said.

If town officials opt for resident deputies, a mutual aid agreement would be made between the two counties’ commissioners, according to Maryland criminal procedure code. Both elected sheriffs made presentations during a Tuesday task force meeting.

“We are talking about a dollars-and-cents issue — that’s all it is,” Disinger said.

Task force members also wanted to know how much it would cost to hire deputies on a part-time basis. Overtime rates would be paid to deputies asked to work special events, such as carnivals. Deputies needed to patrol problem areas could also be dispatched for part-time work.

Going without contracts or a police department was also discussed, an option task force members called “going naked.” In this case, Frederick County and Carroll County deputies would be dispatched as needed.

“Everything is on the table,” Rockinberg said.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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