USTASC Employee Blog

Finally, the new masks have arrived at USTASC and will be distributed this week. These masks are hand washable and must be kept. DO NOT DISCARD THESE MASKS.  Those who are working on the Eastern Shore may pickup their masks and filters at headquarters. Those who are working on the Western Shore (Cannabis Protection Industry Officers) will have their masks delivered to you. The filters included are rated for one week each use but maybe worn past that if required. -Chief E. Avnet

The following notice is required by law. USTASC May be exempt from providing the following under the act due to either 1) USTASC is considered an essential/emergency service or 2) USTASC currently has under 50 employees per waiver. At this time, there is no waiver process but is forthcoming. We, of course, do not want to file for any of these actions.  FFCRA is very muddy currently. We are attempting to clarify what is occurring here. There is a 30-day temporary relief on enforcement actions by the Department of Labor.  According to Bambee, our HR support service, an employee qualifies for FFCRA if the following occurs after April 1, 2020: Employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19. (this applies to individuals who do not work for an essential business and are not considered essential employees.  Since your business is considered essential, your employees would be expected to report to work if your business is open) Employee a...

To all cannabis protection personnel & transport personnel, This is a notification that a CINTAS salesperson has been to various dispensaries in the area. This person just tested positive for COVID 19.  Of course, this does not mean that you or anyone else there is infected. This is just an advisory.  Be aware to use extra precautions when touching surfaces, talking to people or touching your face.  Wash your hands frequently. -Chief E. Avnet

TO ALL PERSONNEL,   As you may know, Governor Hogan has shut down all non-essential businesses throughout the state as of 5PM today. However, this does NOT include security services or marijuana dispensaries.    Security Services are deemed federally essential for infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security CISA. If questioned by law enforcement, you may find the  order here . You may wish to print this order and carry it with you.   Therefore, there will be no interruption in services to our clients. All USTASC personnel will continue to serve as scheduled.    Maryland State Police has advised that all security guards MUST BE IN an identifiable uniform while working.    -Chief E. Avnet

Some things to keep in mind.... As you know this crazyness with the Corna Virus is on going. We, as essential personnel, must work. We are frankly lucky at this point to continue to be able to serve our clients and have jobs. As you know, people in many different industries such as hotels, bars, restaurants are entirely out of work. We have no intention of discontinuing or pausing services. However, if our clients require a mandatory shut down OR if the government orders a "shelter in place" order, we may have to temporarily suspend services to clients. If this happens, although employers may be paused, it is my intention to  not terminate anyone's employment over this.   It is unknown how the government will supplement income, however, we will continue to stay on top of this situation, looking out for you, the patrol officer. You are the backbone of USTASC. We are taking additional steps in order to keep our officers safe during this. Bear in mind that gloves, m...

Welcome the new officers to USTASC! Latoya Savoy - Cannabis Industry Armed Protection Officer Robert Tippery - Cannabis Industry Armed Protection Officer Nathan Bedwell-Hutton - Cannabis Armed Protection Officer Ryan Jasper - Cannabis Industry Protection Officer Richard Marshall - Cannabis Industry Armed Protection Officer Darnell Murphy - Cannabis Industry Armed Protection Officer As soon as this pandemic is behind us we will be bringing you all in for additional training on our firearms simulator and we will host a meet and greet for everyone!  Again, welcome aboard!

Congratulations to PFC Andrew Wilkinson who was just promoted from Patrol Officer!

To all Officers, We are actively distributing protective gear to officers however, as officers you have to understand that there is a very, very limited amount of protective gear to go around. You must save your masks for multiple days of use.  Fortunately, we have an order coming in for a longer-term solution to the disposable masks however, they will not be here until next week. In the meantime, I have directed the transport officers to distribute masks and gloves to the Cannabis Industry Protection Officers. I have also directed another officer to distribute masks accordingly. All Eastern Shore USTASC personnel can respond to headquarters to obtain a mask and gloves. I am working on getting more supplies out shortly.  To Curaleaf cannabis dispensary officers, effective immediately you will ask all incoming persons the following questions prior to admittance... You MAY NOT ASK THEM if they are infected with any particular disease or COVID-19 (Corona Vi...

USTASC Corona Virus Advisory Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Thursday, March 12, 2020 To all personnel, As you know, the Coronavirus is a threat to life and safety and has been declared a pandemic. However, technically speaking, the flu and the common cold are also pandemics, both of which are much more fatal than the Corona virus is presently. It is important to weigh what is real and factual and what is not. Although the news media may be covering the issue constantly, it is also important to remember that they are funded by advertisers.   The country, as well as individual states and  communities, are taking precautions in order to curb the threat of the virus spreading. You are considered essential personnel, which means that you must come to work unless you are sick. If you are sick, specifically with the following conditions: Fever, shortness of breath coughing, you should stay home. If you need to stay home, call us immediately so we can find a replaceme...