Chief Donovan Says Salem Police 'Prepared and Capable' for Casino

Before Salem Police Chief Paul Donovan came to Salem 12 years ago, he lived and worked in Connecticut, site of two of the largest casinos in the world – Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun.

"That was one of the best places in the state of Connecticut to live," he said.

But for work, Donovan said he traveled 40 minutes in the other direction, where he worked at the Hartford Police Department for about 20 years.

"We had street gangs, we had drugs, gun violence – we had all kinds of stuff," he said. "One thing we didn't have was a casino, so I don't see the connection of that because you have a casino you're going to have crime. If the crime is already there, a casino is not going to make a difference."

Donovan testified on Tuesday at Representatives Hall in Concord, site of the first Special House Committee hearing for Senate Bill 152, otherwise known as the casino bill.

Donovan serves as president of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, which unlike Donovan's personal stance, has taken a collective stance against expanded gambling.

Further in his testimony, Donovan responded to concerns voiced by Enfield Police Chief Richard Crate and Sunapee Police Chief David Cahill, both of his association.

Both Crate and Cahill said a casino in N.H. would change the character of the state and bring criminal elements to its citizens.

"A lack of character isn't something that is developed and brought in by a casino," said Donovan. "It's something you either have or don't have. A casino is not going to make you any more of a thief than you would be if there wasn't a casino there."

He said that his town and state would greatly benefit from expanded gambling.

"I think Salem, we would welcome a regulated, controlled casino facility," said Donovan "I think it would be good for our town economy, it would be good for the state's economy."

"Salem PD is prepared and capable to provide public safety services to our community with a casino at Rockingham Park," he added.

A non-binding referendum was voted on in March asking Salem residents if they would support a casino at Rockingham Park. Donovan said he was among the 81 percent of residents who voted in favor of the referendum.