State halts take-home police car program

Ehrlich made offer, asking MdTA officers to drop bargaining

The transportation authority police are responsible for the state's toll facilities, the port of Baltimore, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, stretches of Interstate 95 and other Transportation Department properties. Unlike local departments or the Maryland State Police, they are not responsible for law enforcement in residential neighborhoods.

"They don't typically have patrol responsibilities or law enforcement responsibilities or even authority in those jurisdictions," Porcari said.

But Kittleman said it is valuable to have any kind of police car in residential areas. "Crooks aren't necessarily that bright," she said.

Kittleman said she didn't oppose collective bargaining legislation because of anti-labor sentiments but because she preferred more informal give-and-take with union leaders.

Porcari voiced a different view. "This is an administration that supports collective bargaining," he said.

Last year's deal was brought before the authority's board, discussed behind closed doors, and ratified unanimously in open session, Porcari said. The previous transportation secretary and chairman of the authority board, Robert L. Flanagan, supported the agreement.

Porcari, the board's new chairman, said he will ask the panel to rescind last year's action.

Flanagan and McLhinney declined to comment.

[e-mail]