Stephanie Long
(10/2) After years spent operating
Thurmont’s police force out of a
576-square-foot space attached to Thurmont’s
town offices, the Thurmont Police Department
has a new home that was dedicated at a Sept.
20 ceremony.
“This is a day that’s been long overdue but
worth waiting for,” said Thurmont Police Chief
Gregory Eyler. “We’re now in the century we
belong in.”
Over 180 people attended the ceremony,
including the Thurmont Board of Commissioners,
Thurmont Mayor Martin Burns, Frederick County
Commissioners President Jan Gardner, Director
of the Department of Emergency Communications
Clarence Jewell and other dignitaries.
A major proponent of the new building was
the Thurmont Police Commission, which spent
hours analyzing the needs of the police force
to ensure the building would be exactly what
the department needed, as well as making sure
the project met its budget.
“The Police Commission did a lot of
homework,” said Thomas Iaccarino, Thurmont
Police Commission Chairman. “And we came in
under budget, $80,000 under.”
The new building offers the department
mainly what it didn’t have before – space.
From 576 square feet to 8,100 square feet,
the new building houses three jail cells,
which the department did not have before, a
workout room, briefing room, proper office
space and more.
“This is a proud day for Thurmont,”
Iaccarino said. “This building will take us
decades into the future.”
Burns shared similar thoughts. “It was so
clear that we were so far behind the eight
ball,” Burns said. “It’s not the Taj Mahal,
but we have a very professional building.”
Attendees toured the newly dedicated
building, and many were proud of the new
facility and all of its many features. But one
new feature in particular seemed to be the
favorite among most – the jail cells.
Josh Solich, 8, from Thurmont, said his
favorite part was the jail cells because they
were “cool.” His mother, Traci Solich, liked
jail cells as well, but for a different
reason.
“I like that we actually have cells now. It
feels like we’re more secure,” Solich said,
referring to the fact that prior to moving to
the new site those in custody were handcuffed
to a chain on the wall as there were no cells.
As did others in attendance, Burns said the
new building brought Thurmont something any
town needs – pride.
“With the new library and new police
building, there’s a greater sense of pride in
Thurmont, we’re putting the right foot
forward,” Burns said.
