The first annual report by the Kent Bureau of Investigation noted that Betterton had the least complaints of all Kent County towns. Representatives of the Kent County Sheriffs Office, the Maryland State Police, the Chestertown and Rock Hall police departments, and Natural Resources Police were present at the announcement. The picture of Betterton as a tranquil refuge was challenged by a resident who moved to town about a year ago. He described half a dozen thugs between 13 and 18 years old harassing residents and openly using and selling drugs. He said he had reported vandalism to his property to the sheriff’s office on several occasions, but that the young vandals used scanners to monitor police activity and left when a deputy was on the way. Authorities forwarded the complaints to the drug unit, and Mayor Carolyn Sorge said she would look into the resident’s allegations.