“I would think certain village area residents would be reluctant in the beginning,” Mr. Aube said. “I think it would probably be an easier sell for larger departments, like Southampton Town and Riverhead Town and East Hampton Town.”
At least one village is content, for now, under Southampton Town Police coverage.
While Sagaponack Village had some issues with Southampton Town’s lack of police coverage in spring this year, Mayor Don Louchheim said the town has taken productive strides in improving its service this summer.
Mr. Louchheim noted that in the spring, he had complained to town officials about the lack of police coverage, given the high taxes that the wealthy village pays. Although the issue of taxes have not been resolved, Mr. Louchheim said police coverage issue has been “satisfactorily answered” with an increased number of traffic control officers, and a bumped-up police presence on Monday nights to address parking and speeding in beach areas. The town also assigned a liaison, town police officer Melissa Elliston, to meet twice a week with the village to identify any problems that might surface.
Originally, Mr. Louchheim said the village was considering “divorcing” from the town and forming its own police force. While that option is not yet off the table, Mr. Louchheim said Ms. Throne-Holst has done a “good job” in addressing the village’s concerns.
“We’re still exploring,” Mr. Louchheim said. “If we were to do it, what would the cost be, and what would the benefits be. But what I’m saying is one of the key factors for us doing this has now been eliminated. And we are very appreciative of the efforts of the Town Police since we raised the issue in the spring.”
Nice talking point ATH "I tried to make a plan to cut the tax burden for police!" but there isn't a shred of practicability in this plan. Villages have their own police dept.'s because they don't like how Southampton Town Police were doing things and opted for their own forces. And if it lightens the tax burden on village residents, what are the odds it increases the tax burder on non-village residents?
Practicability:
Function: adjective
Date: 1648
1 : capable of being put into practice or of being done or accomplished : feasible
She want to consolidate Westhampton Beach, Quogue, Southampton and Sag Harbor village police departments joining the Southampton Town Police under one department. What? And fire/retire the chiefs and captains.
Be careful Anna driving in any of the villages, they may arrest you for DWI.
Imagine having to arrest your neighbor? Worse, imagine arresting someone who is not your neighbor, you get back to the station house and it is the Chief's/Lieutenant's/Sergeant's, or Fellow Officer's - neighbor. In big departments these problems are minimized. In villages the officers learn to duck, don't make any arrests, don't solve crimes... otherwise you might have to make an arrest that could be detrimental ...more to your continued employment.
Once this is done, people have mentioned consolidating other services, ...more I would like to change this beach permit situation. There as to be a more uniform beach access policy for town residents without having to buy a permit from each village. Some of the fees requested are prohibitive for non-vilage residents. Maybe have non-formal beaches( non-lifeguard, end ot road,) accessible to all that have "a" permit. Allow town reisdents to buy beach permits at the same cost as village. Thinkboutit.
Westhampton Beach should explore it if their police hearings don't straighten out that department, but Quogue would NEVER agree to consolidation!
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it IMO."
[which in this case is a "broken" catchy phrase, because most of our governmental entities ARE broken, but trying to master-mind a consolidation of this magnitude is a pipe dream IMO.]
Why the smoke screen now? Similar to the smoke screen about discussing the MTA lawsuit in open session.
Careful, folks, you work for US.
huh?
before you start pointing fingers at others about their comments, read some of your own nasty un-called for rants. You really contribute. RIGHT!
Though they have always been there when I needed them, I still must say they have "serviced" themselves rather well.
how about opening up the books so we can see exactly what our money is being spent on?