A practical joke involving Del. Jon Cardin’s Aug. 7 marriage proposal to his girlfriend aboard a boat at the Inner Harbor has sparked an internal investigation of the possible misuse of Baltimore City Police Department resources.

The pretend scene took place when marine and helicopter on-duty officers boarded the boat acting as if they were conducting a raid for contraband. Just as it appeared police were about to make arrests, Cardin surprised his girlfriend, Megan Homer, with a ring and a proposal of marriage, according to a story in The Gazette.

Anthony Guglielmi, a city police spokesman, confirmed Monday that the department has launched an internal investigation into the incident that includes an unspecified number of officers believed to be involved.

“Whatever happened did not go through the chain of command,” Guglielmi said. “We don’t have anything official on it.”

Guglielmi said he believed a marine unit and helicopter were in the area at the time of the engagement cruise, but could not speak to details because the internal investigation is incomplete, he said.

The Gazette story goes on to say that an unnamed friend told Cardin, who represents Owings Mills, Pikesville and part of Timonium, that “some people” might board the boat and that he shouldn’t worry.

The people who boarded the boat turned out to be a police officer attached to the city police marine unit. A helicopter was also involved, according to the Gazette story.

That story continued: “Cardin, who knew the cops delighted in practical jokes from a high school senior project he did with the city police department’s marine unit some 20 years ago, made sure to note that there was no abuse of public resources. ‘The police’s involvement was only to take place if they were not on assignment,’ he said.”

An aide to the delegate reported that Cardin is out of town but in a statement e-mailed Monday night, he said:

“On Friday, August 7th, I had the honor of asking my now fiancée for the privilege of her hand in marriage. I asked my best friend to help me plan the occasion. We decided to take her on a boat ride with a handful of our closest friends and ask the marine police to do a routine 5-minute safety check of the boat. During the “fuss,” I surprised her with my proposal and she honored me with her answer of ‘yes.’

“During the evening, I was focused on making my fiancée’s night perfect. In retrospect, I should have considered that city resources would be involved and used better judgment to put a stop to it.
 
“I will be in contact the Baltimore City Police Department, and will reimburse the city for whatever costs they deem appropriate.”

Guglielmi declined to comment on potential costs of using officers or the helicopter, adding it “would be hard for us to say at this point. It would have cost this much hourly when they were likely in the area anyway.”

City police policy prohibits the use of police vehicles for personal use, Guglielmi said.

“We don’t use police boats and helicopters for birthdays and bachelor parties,” Guglielmi said. “These are public safety tools."

---

user comments (1)

user augieboy says...

But his name is Cardin...shouldn't that count for something? They are 'entitled' right? ------from facebook posting---- hmmm, another Cardin huh? Think he'd abuse the Balt County Police pulling practical jokes like he did with the City Police...Oh wait...they made sure they weren't on a call? ...so that wasn't a waste of resources...never mind it costs' approximately 500.00 to 1000.00 per hour to operate.

Posted 9:23 PM, 08.17.09

• Permalink