From the Ramapo Times:
Village of Airmont Trustee Ralph Bracco wants to look into a cost-saving measure that would save the taxpayers of the Village of Airmont an estimated $2 million each year.
Airmont pays the Town of Ramapo approximately $4.7 million each year for policing services and according to Bracco, via Chief Brower, “Airmont gets one car per shift and that’s all we’re going to get.”
In attendance at last night’s meeting were at least three Ramapo officers. An off-duty officer and Airmont resident eloquently explained that because there is some overlap in sectors, Airmont actually has four Ramapo PD cars patrolling the village.
A third source has informed The Rockland Star & Ramapo Times that one car is permanently assigned to patrol Airmont while three others are in adjoining sectors with minimal overlap and as with all police departments, these units are available to assist when necessary.
The Village wasn’t voting on actually making the change at this time, rather Trustee Bracco’s resolution would essentially ask New York State Senator David Carlucci and Assembly Woman Ellen Jaffee to begin drafting a change to the Rockland County Police Act of 1930 which would allow Airmont and possibly other Villages to shop for the best deal on police services.
As per the Village of Airmont’s agenda, the item specifically stated “Resolution To Request Senator David Carlucci And Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee Prepare The Appropriate Legislation To Amend § 1a Of The Rockland County Police Act”
At one point, Trustee Gigante pointed out that a ‘Yes’ vote amounted to saying “I hate the Ramapo Police Department” while a no vote amounted to saying “I don’t want to save the taxpayers’ money.”
Bracco repeated stated that getting the ball rolling was the first step into looking into a change and that if it made sense, the village should move forward and if it didn’t they would stay with the Ramapo PD.
After a lot of back and forth including some very weak arguments against the proposal, a vote was taken. Trustee Ralph Bracco voted yes, Trustee Dennis Cohen voted yes, Trustee Philip Gigante abstained citing a lack of information, Deputy Mayor Anthony Valenti voted no, citing the same reasons as Trustee Gigante and Airmont Mayor Veronica Boesch voted no as well so the resolution will not go forward at this time.
The Suffern Police Department could conceivably provide Airmont with triple the coverage at an annual savings approaching $2 million.
Stated one Airmont resident who did not want to be identified after the vote was taken, “I guess looking into saving taxpayers money takes a backseat to bull—and conjecture.”
The Rockland Star and Ramapo Times continues to look into the claims made by the elected representatives at the Airmont Village workshop and will provide updated information as soon as it becomes available.
– See more at: http://ramapotimes.cpnewsnet.com/2014/04/21/airmonts-boesch-and-valenti-vote-no-on-resolution-to-look-into-changing-police-departments/#sthash.Kqacr6RK.dpuf
