LETTER: Isn’t this really a conflict of interest?

Who else would you like to run it???
I got it....post appications at the local gin mills..........or maybe outside the bail bond office's.....
gueezzz.....let the man make a living.....if he has the steam and the abilty...leave him be....

I am sure the county board has looked into several security companies. I would hope that they picked the best company who will represent the county. We elected the county board officals make these important decisions on behalf of he county. Why is it even an issue that he is a police officer. Maybe he is the most qualifed and he had the lowest bid.

Thanks Andy, there is little appreciation for people's efforts to "look behind the curtain"; until the day that person finds the "big one". Look at the Watergate incident for example. I for one am glad there are always "eyes" watching and talking about goings on. One person alone cannot possibly keep up with all Fremont's current events, and the motives behind the curtain.

What a different world this would be if we lived in fear of reprisal for expressing our opinions of public dealings. I am concerned with the impression that people in the courthouse are more worthy of protection, than a normal person on the street, I guess we are all just cannon fodder to the elite. Are we punishing criminals hard enough to be a deterrent, or do we live in fear of the criminal?

Keep the opinions comming.

Conflict

I think a police office being the owner of the company not only makes sense but is the logical pick if the price is right.

The county board has so much trouble making decisions. At least the security issue is finally moving forward.
Just another inside deal with the county or city. Look closely and you will not be surprised how things are decided in local government. And that will never change in Fremont.

The supervisors are to be commended for choosing a local company instead of going to Omaha. Well done!

Rob, you're right. If the supervisors had picked a non-Fremont company, everybody would be whining about that. People are already crying about how long this took, and now that its done, more whining. A quick check in the phone book shows 1 local company, the other is from Yutan. Its not like there's a lot to choose from here.
And to "thanksandy"? Maybe some intrepid Trib reporter WILL investigate this travesty and Fremont will have its own Watergate. Think of the heads that would roll.

If someone has so much trouble with the way things are done, then stand up and do something about it. Run for office, or start your own security company. There was just an election, did you campain for anything, or did you just wait till it was over so you have something to complain about.

When a person is hired by the Fremont Police Department they are told that they are on the job 24/7. They are working all the time...no time in their lives is excluded. How can they be on call at all times by their first job, the Fremont PD, and still be working for the county and the private security company? There would seem to be an economically...obvious 'conflict of interest'.

A conflict of interest occurs when an elected official is able to benefit personally from actions he takes as an elected official. Example: If a Supervisor owned a security company and voted to use his security company. That would be a conflict of interest.

For any other individual, even a police officer, to provide the security when he is not connected to the County Board in any other way, is NOT a conflict of interest. It's called capitalism and it's what made this country great.

to Fremont resident
Yes I did campain for Scott but the older people don't like change here. I was told by many. And what GREAT change did our present Mayor made.Oh yes I for got the water park And at 71 I don't need that. And Fremont is an elderly people town. What have they done for us?

Fremont is in a great location to attract young families and without things for kids to do around town, young families will opt to live elsewhere. They seem to be buying big houses and paying taxes. What would you like for a 71 year old? My mom is in her 80's and certainly keeps busy. Most days she picks and chooses what to do. I am curious to hear what you want the city to do for you. And I applaud the board for hiring a local to do the job at the courthouse. Keep the money local

I don't see at all how this is a "conflift of interest". First of all, the owner of JDS Security is a FREMONT police office. The courthouse is a COUNTY courthouse. Second of all, JDS Security does a great job!! I have attended several functions, weddings, etc. Where they have been the security company on duty. They are very professional and curtious! I am proud that the county hired a local company to do the job.

I don't have a problem with who they picked because the officer in question is a good man, it's the lack of organization the county board has shown and the fact they still don't have all the security worked out years after purchasing a pricey piece of equipment.

Also with these security personal not being armed I don't understand what they are going to do if they come across a weopon.

Peanut - you need to read and apply all the definitions in a dictionary for conflict of interest. Each tax payer should be asking the tough questions...if a security company employee gets hurt on the court house job is the security company providing insurance or, rather, they would run it through on the city's self funded insurance. There are many people looking for jobs who could qualify for that type of security job...you shouldn't need to hire a policeman.

Fremont Police officers should not be working for the county also. Appearances of double dipping should be avoided at all costs. They should be happy they have their job with the City. Police officers should not be allowed to hold 2nd jobs anyway. They are on duty 24/7.

Let the county hire someone from the COUNTY sheriff's department or add a position in the sheriff's department to handle the security at the court house. They are county employees already.

What is the problem if the owner of JDS Security LLC is a Fremont Police Officer? He is serving and protecting as a mission statement, also is serving and protecting people from the community as well as the courthouse employees!!!

These comments are SO Fremont! Some people have nothing better to do than to write negative comments about the city and the county. I have an idea, why don't those of you stating these negative comments RUN FOR OFFICE, or would that be too much work, leaving the comfort of your home, where nobody out there really knows who you are. I think that the county made a fine choice. I understand that there are several of you out there who disagree with me. You are entitled to your opinion. But please read the definition of "Conflict of Interest" before you start accusing someone of it. JDS Security is a great LOCAL company that provides wonderful security. Good Call county!

To Monitor:

Police have the duty to uphold the law 24/7 not be on the job 24/7. Firemen and firewomen are on the job 24 hour shifts and stay at the station during that period.
Police not being able to work a second job simply doesn't make sense.

I would think a bigger "conflict of interest" would be giving the contract to a security company that requires nothing more than a high school diploma and is staffed by retirees and people who want nothing more than to sit in a chair for 8 hours doing "security" work. I would wager that JDS (presuming the employees are Fremont Police officers) would have a better idea of who the people are coming into the courthouse, their associates and their tendencies than someone from Omaha. This was a good decision, despite what armchair-mayor Andy says.

I agree that this was a great choice. I do think having an officer, County or city would be better, but the fact that we went local with a trained officer in charge was the next best choice, IMO.
Police are on call 24/7 in case of a disaster but are still entitled to a personal life, days off and vacations. The officer owns the company, it does not mean he is doing the work so would still be available to do his duty for the city of Fremont. If they had chosen a company out of Omaha everyone would complain we did not hire locally. Sometimes there is just no pleasing people.

If the city paid our officers a decsent wage they wouldn't have to have second and third part-time jobs. I know JDS will do a great job handling the security at the court house.

Most of the JDS security if not all that will be working at the courthouse won't be law enforcement officers. But a large number of cops all around have to have a second job cause of low pay. It's just the way it is. So if you expect them to be available 24/7 pay them better.

j --- police officers take an oath to 'protect and serve' not become wealthy. If money is the issue, they should have chosen another profession. I lived and raised my children on the salary of a law enforcement officer. All of the children went to college. In addition to a salary, insurance, retirement- law enforcement officers get their meals at 1/2 price in most places and receive numerous discounts from area businesses.

A number of people have listed good reactions from being around that security company's employees. I have had just the opposite while at a community event. When a problem was voiced to the security officer, his answer was, "it's not my problem" and then walked away. They weren't even businesslike to respond to a polite greeting, the security person just looked the other way and walked off. Let's hope they don't handle the county job in the same manner.

The person who referred to retirees in a negative manner should be ashamed. Discrimination of any group should not be allowed...for any reason!

I guess you will have to hope that no catastrophic events occur in Fremont during the day when the police officers working for the City are busy working for the County. If the main job for these security people was working for that company, most likely no one would care. The conflicts occur because they have a full time job commitment to the City of Fremont and all its residents. They are relied upon for help when no one else can help. The police officers are selling everyone short...for more money. Don't use the excuse that they aren't paid enough because that just doesn't fly with those of us who have 'been there, done that!"

Please, I wasn't discriminating against anybody. Look into any security agency in Omaha (since there are none in Fremont other than JDS) and the majority require little more than a high school diploma. And since I "did that" for a number of years before entering law enforcement I can say with confidence that a number of my co-workers were retirees. You speak about what you know about, I'll speak about what I know about. And if we are going to say FPD officers shouldn't be working second jobs, fine, then tell the Fremont Public schools that because they employ them to work security at the graduation and all sporting events, and tell St. Patricks catholic church that because it employs them to work security at weddings, and tell the Fremont gun show that because it employes officers to work security, etc. etc. Let's face it, the city of Fremont does not currently have a security agency for these things. Until a better option comes along, JDS security and the police officers it employs are the best choice.

City Security firm hired, manned by Fremont employees and an experienced cop? What is the problem? I know, you people would rather see an outside firm benefit and the wages go out of town. Great thinking.

Pete... just for clarification, JDS is NOT the only security company in Fremont.

JDS Security is not only police officers. They have other employees. Also, I find your comments regarding your experience with JDS security, highly unlikely!!!! Or maybe, your "situation" wasn't something that the guard could do anything about. Not only that, you seem like a pretty big "Negative Nancy" anyway, so it probably wouldn't have mattered how the guard handled the situation, you probably wouldn't have been happy either way.

To Been There done That:

So off duty police officers should sit by the phone waiting to be called to work. If not then they are selling everyone short WOW !
When you were an officer did you ever, while off the clock, drink alcohol, leave the state or be not available ? I would guess not because you had a 100% commitment to the job.

A second job takes nothing away from the commitment, city or it's fine citizens.