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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Residents Support Full-Time Police Officers
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| People packed village hall in support of the two officers. |
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| Officer Jill Nye spoke on behalf of other part-time village officers. |
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| Police chief Paul Weber explained how costs could be cut without a drop in service in the village. |
December 21, 2010
More than 100 people, including residents and police officers from nearby communities, crowded into village hall on Monday night to show their support of the two full-time village police officers who had been told last month that they had six months to find a new job.
For nearly two hours, more than two dozen village residents rose to speak on behalf of the two officers. By the end of the public comment session, board members left open the possibility of reviewing their options, while agreeing that cost-cutting measures were needed in the department.
Officer Jill Nye, a part-timer officer who has been in the Cornwall-on-Hudson police department for a decade, spoke on behalf of many of her colleagues in support of the full-timers, Officers Arthur Terwilliger and John Pena, saying they provided continuity in a patchwork of part-timers. Officer Terwilliger presented the board with a petition supporting the two officers that had been signed by 300 to 400 village residents.
John Olley talked about how a small town is characterized by trust between the police and residents and mentioned that when his own son was in trouble, the police department helped get him back in line. “I love these guys,” Stacy Wilson said as she fought back her emotions. “I would gladly pay out of my pocket to cover their salaries.” Several residents said how important it is to have full-time police officers who get to know people and serve as role models to their children. Pat Larkin said that she and her husband, state senator Bill Larkin, also favor keeping the full-time officers.
Chief Defends Decision to Cut Costs, New Hires
Police chief Paul Weber, who proposed the elimination of the two positions, defended his proposal, which he said would save the village at least $133,000 a year – or ten percent of the revenue raised by property taxes. “I am a business manager and I have to look out for everybody who is in this room,” Weber told the crowd.. “We live in the village where the concept of a part-time police officer works.” He then explained that the part-time officers he has hired from the NYPD and city of Newburgh police department have the experience to handle every situation that comes up, unlike some of the “hobby cops” previously employed by the department.
Negotiations Required, Attorney Says
Marilyn Berson, the attorney for the police union, noted that the savings may not be as great as expected if the two full-time positions are eliminated while pay rates are increased 10 to 20 percent for the part-time officers, a proposal the village has made in current contract negotiations. Berson also said that the village violated the contract when it unilaterally tried to eliminate the full-timers without negotiations. The union has filed a complaint with the public employee relations board and a meeting is scheduled for February 18th to discuss the matter.
When trustee Mark Edsall noted that no vote has been taken by the board to approve the elimination of the full-time positions, several people in the audience encouraged the trustees to take a vote right now. Officer Terwilliger asked when his six month period to find a new job starts, but did not get a response from the board. Attorney Berson reminded the board that a vote will not resolve the issue, which must be negotiated.
Mayor Calls Move a Work in Progress
Mayor Gross, who announced the move to a part-time police force last month, concluded the discussion by saying the future structure of the police department “is a work in progress.” “This is not a simple decision that we are making but we are listening,” he told those in the room.
Comments:
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here is some of the public comment and last weeks meeting on the police layoffs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzmin-qzx7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hznj7-1CLXg
posted by Andrew Argenio on 12/21/10 at 1:25 PM
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Also on ArgenioAndrew channel on YouTube.com
posted by Andrew Argenio on 12/21/10 at 1:32 PM
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Here is the cheif's response and more public comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a03n5wqgR8k
ArgenioAndrew channel on youtube
posted by Andrew Argenio on 12/21/10 at 4:21 PM
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here is the second public comment clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZhaLBSq4MI
posted by Andrew Argenio on 12/21/10 at 6:42 PM
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I was reviewing the video from last month and found it funny that Mr. Kane said he supported the chief with this idea and Mr. Edsall commended the chief for thinking outside the box. Wow! That is some change from their rhetoric the other night
Here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hznj7-1CLXg
posted by Andrew Argenio on 12/22/10 at 9:04 AM
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I love how he calls certain part-timers "hobby cops." Ironic that in 130 plus days he will be a "hobby chief."
posted by Steve Larson on 12/24/10 at 11:48 PM
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