Harbour welcomes new chief

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: August 21, 2008

AQUIA —  Trish Harmon said Aquia Harbour looks just like it was did when she left it 30 years ago. Harmon has been hired as the community’s new police chief, but she said she remembers North Stafford when there was only one convenience store on a two-lane Garrisonville Road.

After leaving Aquia Harbour as a teenager, Harmon spent nearly 30 years working for the Prince William County Police Department. She retired from there this month as a Master Detective, working on burglary, drug, vice narcotics and money laundering cases. She said she happily gave all of that up for some good old-fashioned community policing in her old neighborhood.

“In the ‘60s and ‘70s it was us [the police] versus them [the criminals] when it came to law enforcement. It wasn’t until the ‘80s that we learned that the public could play a vital role in policing,” said Harmon.

In Prince William she saw the implantation of both a senior’s and teen police academy, and multiple neighborhood watch campaigns, all designed to encourage the public to get involved with the community. She said she plans to take what she learned there and get more people involved in the Harbour.

The Harbour received more than 60 applications for the job, but chose Harmon for her experience, said Chuck Halt, Aquia Harbour’s general manager. Harmon began her law enforcement career as a teenager. She assisted the police with state Alcoholic Beverage Control stings, attempting to purchase alcohol with a fake ID at restaurants and convenience stores. By 21 she was a full-fledged officer who went on to work in the communications and public relations department. She left Prince William after 12 years as a detective.

“I’ve only been on the job for five days so far so my uniforms haven’t come in yet,” said Harmon. “After 12 years working in regular clothes, I’m surprised I chose to wear a uniform again.”

Though there is no rule preventing it, both Harmon and Halt do not reside in the community they serve. Both said it is more effective for staff to live outside of the neighborhood so they may remain impartial to neighborhood controversies that may arise. Those issues both say are better left for the community’s board of directors to work out.

“I work here, but I don’t let my kids use the swimming pools, or let friends use the boat launch. I’m here to do my job and manage this facility,” said Halt.
Harmon continues to live in Prince William County. Her officers also live outside of the gated community.

“They are a dedicated force but many of them can not afford to live here,” said Harmon.

Aquia Harbour residents pay for the fully state accredited law enforcement agency through homeowner’s association dues. It remains a separate entity from the Stafford Sheriff’s Office, however the office does step in to handle any major crimes that may happen.

Currently running on a staff of four full-time officers, the normal roster has room for six. The chief said she is working on a new scheduling system that will provide for the best patrolling of the community, while she looks to fill one open position and awaits the return of an officer on injured leave.

Though her new title as chief comes with added responsibility, she knows the community does not see a lot of crime.

Speeding is a key issue Harmon said she would like to focus on in the coming months. Roads within the neighborhood all have a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour.

“The majority of the people who speed are not out there saying ‘let’s go break the law’ — the majority of them are distracted with their kids in the back seat and mostly not paying attention,” said Harmon.

The chief said she would like to see the installation of new electronic signs throughout the community to inform drivers how fast they are going, and to remind them to slow down.

The chief recently made her first appearance in front of the Aquia Board of Directors. There she said she was welcomed, but moreover she was there to listen.

Harmon was able to hear what was on the minds of Aquia Harbour residents and a compliment for one of her officers.

With lobster dinners and fall festivals coming up, she said now is a good time to introduce herself to the community.

“I will be at all of these events. I want to hear what [residents] think; I need to know what [residents] worry about, and I want them to know they can approach a police cruiser if they have a problem,” she said.