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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Galveston Interim Police Chief Kenny Mack and Galveston Municipal Police Association President John Bertolino spoke to the Galveston Island Pachyderm Club today. Listen "I think we have one of the best departments anywhere," Mack said to the Republican crowd, noting that the department is in a period of transition since the retirement of former chief Bob Pierce "I am troubled by some of the things that I see in Galveston," said Bertolino, citing prostitution, drug dealing and other problem areas for law enforcement. He cited problems in his neighborhood on the city's east end. "I can go right out my front door and I can probably buy just about any kind of drugs that you can find here in Galveston." Bertolino spoke highly of past police chiefs Pierce and Dale Roberts and said the police union is very supportive of Mack's interim administration. "We've got a lot of changes taking place and a lot of uncertainty," Mack said, explaining that he has developed a program to improve the department. "If my ideas are embraced, I believe that we are going to continue to move forward." Mack said that he is a traditionalist. "My main focus is, and will continue to be, on developing a professional police agency that understands that its mission is to serve the citizens of the city that we live and work in." "I do like some of the direction that Chief Mack has taken us," Bertolino said. "Let's respect the public; let's talk right to the public; let's try to go out there and make a difference and change things." "We are very active in elections," Bertolino said, explaining that the GMPA's political action committee often supports sympathetic candidates with contributions. Next week City Manager Steve LeBlanc will speak to the group. "You know, actually I asked to follow him," said Bertolino. "It's good to follow him to do damage control. We have had an up and down relationship, the city manager and I; we are quite frank with each other. I understand that he has a very difficult job to do, I do understand that. There have been some problems with trust between the city manager and I and we are trying to work those out right now."
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