During a recent government meeting, Wacomoco County resident Miguel Dahleen raised significant concerns regarding the county's memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Eastern Shore ESU, which pertains to encrypted law enforcement communication channels. Dahleen highlighted that while the county executive has described the MoU as a cost-free solution to meet Public Information Act (PIA) transparency requirements, he questioned its practicality and effectiveness.

Dahleen pointed out that ESU, a small business, does not provide continuous coverage, typically operating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. but often taking breaks for personal commitments. He expressed concern that emergency calls occurring during these gaps may not be captured, potentially undermining the PIA compliance that the MoU aims to address. He questioned whether a system that only sporadically records calls could be relied upon for public safety.

Additionally, Dahleen raised issues regarding equity of access to information disseminated by ESU. He noted that the owner of ESU has the authority to moderate comments and ban users from their social media platforms, which could limit access to critical public information for residents who may be banned or do not use social media. He shared his personal experience of being banned for expressing concerns about local safety, which he felt deterred community members from seeking police assistance.

Dahleen's comments come as the council prepares for an open work session with the sheriff to further discuss the implications of the MoU. His testimony underscores the need for transparency and equitable access to public safety information in Wacomoco County.