Routine Stops Becoming More Dangerous for Police Officers

CAMBRIDGE, Md. - For the third time in less than a month, an Eastern Shore police officer has been injured in the line of duty.

Police are still looking for 39-year-old Demetrice Demby for attempting to run-over two Cambridge officers while he was stopped for a traffic violation early Sunday. The incident occurred near the 500 block of Leonard's Lane in Cambridge.

Some officers said nothing about their job is routine and they have to be ready for anything.

"It's dangerous as a whole," said Marlon Parker, a law enforcement officer in Dorchester County. "We don't take traffic stops for granted. Anything could go wrong at any given time."

Dorchester County Sheriff James Phillips Jr. said the danger for police officers is at an all-time high. He said he does not see it slowing down.

"I think it's a lot more dangerous today," Phillips said. "There is no respect for law enforcement and it's the mindset of people."

Margaretta Walley of Easton is currently looking for a place to live in Cambridge, which is closer to her job. After the incidents in Cambridge, including Sunday's incident involving Demby, Walley said she is going to reevaluate her plans to live in Cambridge. She thinks in order to stay safe, officers should work in pairs.

"Maybe they need to have more then one officer per car, they should always team up. I think it would be safer for them to work together," Walley said.

Phillips said he plans on holding a staff meeting regarding the recent events in Cambridge.