One of the most, if not the most powerful word in the English language—TRUST.

Our very lives depend on it. Our society, in fact this entire world would probably grind to a halt without it.

Everyday we get in our cars to go to work or run errands and we trust the person driving on the other side of the road does not cross over the line. We trust they have full control of their motor vehicle.

We fly in airplanes and we trust the pilots, the mechanics that worked on the plane, the baggage handlers to put our luggage where it is supposed to be; we trust the air traffic controllers, (now that is real trust).

We go to a restaurant or a fast food place and we put our trust in the people who prepare our food. We go to the supermarket and bring food home to prepare ourselves, trusting the people who grew the food, picked it, packed it and then shipped it to its destination.

If we have surgery, we place our trust in our physician and their staff to keep us alive.

It is amazing how trust is a major part of our lives and for the most part we don’t really think about it.

The issue of trust came up this past week when one of our Town Councilors, Tim White asked our Town Manager if there was a policy on municipal gas use.

I really believe our town employees for the most part are honest and professional. But human behavior being what it is, safeguards have to be put into place. When I work, there are monitoring systems put on my computer by the company I am working for to guard against fraud and unauthorized usage. That doesn’t mean I or my fellow workers are engaging in unscrupulous behavior. Most people are not.

But some are and temptations are many. Especially now with our economy tightening up, less money and higher food and fuel prices. The temptation to stretch things or “just take the town car I have for personal uses” is out there, especially with these gas prices.

Human nature is human nature and safeguards must be in place. I did read the article in the Herald, and I was happy to see it there, of course it was one sided, but we are getting somewhere with this paper. They did at least address the issue.

The article mentioned all the departments, police, fire, public works. I did call Mr. Michaelangelo who was nice enough to take time out of his day for a few minutes and speak to me. The DPW does have this two key system, one to unlock the gas pump and the other key, which is linked directly to the vehicle one is driving at the time. One key will not work the pumps which is good and the other key must match the vehicle.

I called because the Herald article stated in effect that the DPW employees do not have to put in the vehicle’s mileage because the system is so sensitive that if one number is entered in incorrectly, the system would shut down completely. It is almost like too much of a good thing. Besides, the Herald article stated, that the mechanics on duty at the DPW garage are right by the pumps so an unauthorized vehicle would be detected.

I called Mr. Michaelangelo to ask what happens after the mechanics go home for the day. I was told the gates are locked. If someone has to use the pumps to fill up let’s say a snowplow, the two key system is in effect. Remember, public works DOES have GPS on all snowplows.

Well my concern is what if someone took the two keys home and drove their own vehicle there one night. That is why the cameras and GPS at all municipal pumps, and apparently there are four of them according to the Herald article, must be put into place as soon as possible and most likely will.

Now I did get an email from Chief Cruess of the Police Department. Here is is reply.

Note: the Police Chief took it upon himself to expound on my post the other night. I did not solicit a response. Thank you to all who contacted me, I am starting to feel better.

And thanks to Chris for his thoughtful insights.

From UNDERGROUNDTOWNHALLPOST:

Lt. Markella said up to three cameras can monitor the pump if
 necessary. The gas ipump is old according to Markella but the recording system is
 adequate. What happens is that the two pumps are on a stand alone system
 with a gauge. The officer who needs to dispense gas into a police
 vehicle, marked or unmarked, records what the gauge says and these records are
 kept on a daily schedule.

CHIEF CRUESS RESPONSE

Hi Cindy, as to the above let me try to explain it better.  The gauge
 you refer to is the total amount in the fuel tank.  This is read each
 morning and recorded.  This allows us to monitor when we need fuel and to
 make sure that the number is not going up (ie: water getting into the
 tank, hasn't happened since we now have an above ground storage tank).
  When an officer fuels up he enters the vehicle code, mileage and that
 officers identification number.  This is all recorded on a computer
 inside the building that we check routinely and use to prepare our
 monthly gas reports.  I'll be glad to show it to you if you come on a First
 Thursday/Late hours" night.

FROM UNDERGROUNDTOWNHALL POST:
This is something because I swear this sounds like the Madison
 Wisconsin gas card system I spoke about in front of the Town Council last week.
 Go to Home Page "Featured Video" to hear my speech on the Municipal
 Gas Use Policy

CHIEF CRUESS RESPONSE:

Yes it does only ours is here at the PD and is on several cameras with
 the readings collected on a computer within our building

FROM UNDERGROUNDTOWNHALL:.

A resident had a question: how much does the Town pay for gasoline? Are
 they exempt from state gasoline tax? Is there a bid waiver? We will
 find out

CHIEF CRUESS.
I do not believe we pay taxes.  The town goes off of a regional
 consortium bid I believe but the Finance department would know better.

UNDERGROUNDTOWNHALL: 

Many of you are wondering if the town really did have a gas use policy
 in place or did they scramble. I don't know. As the Police Chief stated
 Monday night, there comes a point where you have to place your trust
 in the people that work with you

Chief Cruess: 

The policy has been the same here for as long as I can remember and I
 know it is the same as it was when I joined the administartion in 2002.
  As you know you can have every rule, policy, law etc in place but you
 can not watch everyone 24/7.  That is where integrity and trust must
 come in.  We monitor the gas closely, even prior to this price spike.
 Just an FYI, I was looking at some Toyota Camary today that were
 hybrids.  Another Department is purchasing them on a lease program which
 makes them somewhat more price available.  I will be looking into it with
 that department.  Remember if you have questions ask.  I will try to
 answer them even if we do not agree.

ANOTHER BRIDGEPORT FIRE OFFICIAL FIRED FOR ILLEGAL VEHICLE USE