The standing-room crowd watches a power-point presentation on the merger proposal; Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, left, who initiated the idea, addresses the crowd, and Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge listens.
Elected officials exploring the idea of merging the police departments of Fair Haven, Little Silver and Rumson got off with a series of stern warnings from their constituents last night.
A crowd of about 150 squeezed into Little Silver’s borough hall to demand that the mayors of the three towns provide greater transparency on the process and hold a referendum before consolidating the three departments, which now employ a combined 46 officers.
And in a public display of dissent that’s rare for the three cozy bedroom communities, the police chiefs of all three departments said that even a take-it-slow approach proposed to test a possible merger would hamper their ability to provide adequate coverage of their towns.
“We would lose manpower” even in the first phase of the plan, under which existing, informal sharing of police resources would be fomalized, Little Silver Chief Shannon Giblin told redbankgreen at the conclusion of the two-hour meeting.
Former Rumson Mayor Charles ‘Chili’ Callman rises to speak at last night’s packed hearing.
Giblin, like a number of residents who spoke, complained about a lack of information and input, saying the three chiefs had been invited to just two meetings on the topic in the past 18 months and that their officers had been inadequately sampled for ideas.
A regionalization, were one to take place, could be history-making. No three towns in New Jersey have ever combined their police forces in a merger-of-equals arrangement before, according to Brian Valentino of Patriot Consulting Group, a governmental services advisory firm. Patriot’s services were 90 percent paid for under a $25,000 state grant, said Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl.
But a merger is not inevitable, backers of the exploratory process claim. State Assemblyman (and former Little Silver councilmember) Declan O’Scanlon, who initiated the merger talks with a call to Ekdahl two years ago, said the the issue is being studied in phases, and was structured so that at any point shy of an actual merger, preliminary steps toward a consolidation could be undone without undermining the three departments.
In a press conference held shortly before last night’s meeting, O’Scanlon and Ekdahl said that a budgetary squeeze driven by mandates from Trenton and soaring healthcare costs made it imperative that towns begin to move toward shared services.
“People are clamoring for us to do more with less, to work more efficiently,” O’Scanlon said.
He said that the two controlling criteria of the process would be that, in the end, police services be as good or better than they are now, and that there be no layoffs in any of the three departments, which now employ 46 officers and spend a combined $6.85 million on police salaries and benefits a year.
Valentino, who Ekdahl said would complete a report on the proposal in three or four weeks, outlined the rationale for a consolidation: the similarities among the three towns in terms of geography, population, police culture and other variables. Yet he stopped short of recommending a merger be green-lighted now because of the way the three towns classify crime data.
A key element of the first phase of the process will be to make those systems uniform, he said, so that the governing bodies of the three towns can weigh the how resources might be allocated among the towns.
Because of that absence of uniform data, Valentino said he was unable to project how staffing might be affected under a merger, and thus, could not estimate how much money might be saved.
But that absence of data was a flashpoint for some of those who filled the 100-person-capacity meeting room last night. They expressed concerns that the police services they now receive could be degraded by a merger whose financial benefits, if any, are unknown.
There was also distrust that the plan would have the intended effect. Former Rumson Mayor Charles ‘Chili’ Callman, Ekdahl’s predecessor, said that when regionalization of the high school for Rumson and Fair Haven was proposed, the costs were to be apportioned on a ‘fair share’ basis. “Then the state stepped in and said, ‘you can’t do that,’” and have to do it instead on the basis of assessed property values, Callman said. That “ended up with Rumson paying 70 percent of the costs.”
O’Scanlon said he had already won assurances from the Corzine administration that no such surprises would be foisted on the towns should the merger proceed.
Others in attendance expressed concerns about the effect of a merger on police and public safety. “What about that officer who needs backup for his safety” when the few other officers on duty at the time are far away, one man asked. “You’re taking one of the most stressful jobs in the world and making it worse.”
Still others complained about what they said was a lack of information regarding both the plan and last night’s meeting, and insisted on better communication. One man said he’d gotten more information about Rumson’s new borough hall from the town than he did about the police merger, a topic he considered far more important.
“We need assurances that everything, as each phase goes, will be disclosed to the public,” said Elaine Campanella of Rumson.
A number of speakers called for the matter to be put up as referenda on ballots in each town.
If the plan is to move ahead, it may have to do so without the support of the officials who will have to make it work: the chiefs, who in this case appear to have the local Police Benevolent Association shops behind them.
“We’re against it,” said Fair Haven Chief Darryl Breckenridge, “and we will be to the end.”
[UPDATE/CLARIFICATION: Breckenridge tells redbankgreen that his comment above applies solely to the phase one aspect of the plan that requires sharing of manpower, not the overall goal of regionalization, which he supports.
Having to dedicate officers to shared detective, youth services and traffic, as called for in the proposal, would blow a huge hole in his staffing schedule, Breckenridge said. "I would have to give up three people," he said."We would not be able to cover the roads."]
Here’s an executive summary of the report that Valentino is expected to produce: Download executive_summary_two_river_police_study_group.doc
As with any merger process, the utmost care must be taken.
If this can be proven to work with minimal loss of jobs (i.e. only through retirements) and NO loss of service, maybe it can serve as a template for future mergers around the state.
Perhaps one day we can - God forbid - consolidate some school districts and harness economies of scale at the upper levels. I'm looking at you Ms. Superintendent with a $743,000 retirement package from a small Abbott district (Keansburg)….
I think this is a great step in the right direction. If you go out West towns have consolidated services years ago and enjoy a much lower operating costs and taxes as a result.
You are talking about merging three of the richest towns in the state. These are not the folks who need to save a few bucks on law enforcement. The majority of them can clearly afford it. Let's look at merging where it would save real money, like Keansburg-Union Beach. Or maybe Sea Bright-Monmouth Beach.
I've never heard of a merger that didn't result in layoffs due to redundancies. Who agreed to that? Geez - I want a government job too.
Is part of the transition plan that the Rumson cops will have to learn all the great speedtrap locations in Fair Haven?
Does the consultant's report say when we expect to realize these Economies of Scale? In 10 or more years when the current brass have retired? Will there be a buy-out package or will the "Region" be paying 3 chiefs (over $100k ea), 2-3 captains (close to $100k ea), 3 Lts, 6 Sgts, and all the current patrolman? With all the brass overlap, what will be their new responsibilities? Who will be in charge (a turf war)? Will they have to interview for newly created positions on the "Regional" force? Businesses merge everyday to achieve synergies and economies of scale. There is one CEO that survives…the rest get packages. To achieve the ultimate result: saving the taxpayer money (or at least slowing down the increases), why shouldn't this proposed merger be any different than a corporate merger? The PBA's power, perhaps? I'll be interesting…
Who the HELL does Daryl Breckinridge think he is? He is an EMPLOYEE hired to execute the policies adopted by the COUNCIL. He has NO RIGHT to make such a statement in public and should be reprimanded for his insolence and insubordination. I used to think this guy was a professional but taking a public stand against something under consideration by his employers is about the most unprofessional thing a public employee can do.
Sounds to me like he was grandstanding for the boys in blue.
It is time for the cops to come to a few realities:
1. Shared services are a fact of life.
2. If the politicians have promised to not lay you off, what is the problem?
3. If you can share services and save money, what is the problem?
4. If you only have to work 20 years before you retire with a 75% pension, what is the problem?
5. If you have a guaranteed job for life, what is the problem?
6. If you work in a town that has NO CRIME problem and you might have to share services, what is the problem?
7. If the politicians want to SAVE MONEY instead of wasting it, what is the problem?
Grow up and realize that you have it DAMN good and that the people who support the JOB you do wont be supportive for long if you look like you are fighting this just to fight it.
If this meeting went down the way RBG says it did, then the PBAs look pretty damn bad from a PR stand point.
hooray for the chief's of all three towns for speaking their mind. although regionalizing is probably a good idea why not start witn non-emergency services first? what about public works or borough hall services? if that works then move on to more critical areas.
Easy answer fred: The cops have negotiated themselves into the enviable position of being the most expensive operation in ANY town!
When you want to cut big money you cut the big fish first.
How much money can you save sharing garbage men and secretaries VERSUS sharing $100,000 a year cops?
I don't have a guaranteed job for life.
I don't have a taxpayer funded pension for life.
I dont have a huge salary that can afford a luxurious, no-price-is-too-high police department.
I chose to live here because it is a safe town. It is not a safe town because 13 cops make it safe–that is LAUGHABLE. It is safe because it is a quiet, sleepy, rich, little town.
I cant afford to live here subsidizing guys with high school educations making $100,000+ a year to drive around all day doing nothing.
I say, GO FOR IT Mayor Halfacre! Call the Chiefs' bluff! The people will support your efforts to cut taxes! We know we will still be protected.
Besides, if these THREE high paid police chief's cannot figure out how to patrol these tiny towns with 46 cops, maybe it is time to find ONE who can.
To destroy the personal knowledge of any police department with regard to its citizenry is to destroy the ability to Protect and Serve the people in each town. Would an officer from another town know the people–juveniles, elderly, house-bound, etc? Would they recognize strangers in their boroughs? In this day and age–with terrorism rampant–do we want to destroy the close-knit infrastructure and cooperation between our people and our Police Department. I have been a resident of Fair Haven since 1963. I have always been extremely proud of our department and cognizant of their dedication to the townspeople. I hope that the public realizes that police officers do not receive Social Security and,also,that police and fire employees are not in the public pension system and that they pay more into their system than any other public servant. It is 25 years for retirement–not 20 as stated by another. Twenty-five years of shift-work, responding to death calls–suicides, mangled accidents, deceased citizens not found for days, marital disputes, alchohol and drug-related incidents and other dangerous confrontations that no ordinary citizen would even consider on a day-to-day basis. These officers have families and children, too. They, too, want the American Dream. I am ashamed to read some of the comments that have been made. These three small towns are the jewels in the crown of New Jersey.
If necessary, consolidate for purchasing power and for access to training–but do not terminate the most important asset–the knowledge and intimacy of the department with its citizenry.
All you guys bashing our local cops are probably the dopes calling Police HQs during a storm to report their power out instead of calling JCP&L. You will have no idea how much you want a cop until you need one & you better pray one is available if you ever need one when this merger goes thru. I would rather pay higher taxes to keep my Fair Haven cops then save a couple bucks, need a cop & get one from another town that has no clue who I or my family is. It is nice to see a familiar face in an emergency. Keep up the great work guys!!!
I do not have any retirement plan at all and I do not get generous paid holidays or health coverage. Any. And I work 3 jobs to keep it together.
The police are public employees do not have the right to stonewall our necessary actions to protect their own sweet gig. And please don't tell me what a grind the Fair Haven PD is.
Listen Up: Every newspaper is filled with companies consolidating stores, manufacturing plants and centralizing services to save money because they have to.
"Fair Haven Resident" says we would be "destroying the personal knowledge of the police department with regard to the citizenry"…. New cops get acclimated to the job in our little town pretty fast. These cops are already responding to calls in the other towns as backups, it's hardly foreign territory. Lots of times it's a Rumson cop who happens to get to an accident on Ridge Road first. Get real.
If they don't think they can do a good job covering that huge area - talk to Middletown and find out how they cover the largest town in the state with 67,000 households and very diverse neighborhood issues. And then bring in some guys from the NYPD or Newark PD or Camden PD who know what a tough day on the job is and they'll think they are on vacation working here!
Please, I have lived in Little Silver (now Red Bank) for my entire life. I can say that I know every street, road & alley in LS, FH & Rumson. & it's not my JOB to patrol and keep the towns safe, I know them because I have lived here. There is MINIMAL crime in these 3 towns. The police officers, some I went to high school with many years ago, do a good job, but can someone PLEASE tell me the last time any one of these officers has drawn their gun in the line of fire? This isn't a big city, we don't have high crime here - how hard would it be to have a Little Silver police officer respond to a suspicious person/drunk driving/ whatever call on River Road in Fair Haven??? Give me a break. Shared services and cost cutting are a way of life. Yes, these 3 towns can well afford to have separate services, but if they can ensure that crime will not go up & response times will be the same, I'm all for it. I mean really, what ever happens in LS, FH or Rumson. Really people, lets be serious.
Can someone PLEASE identify the guy standing to the left of Dougy Cuje in the top photo?
Fair Have Resident:
I agree with you HOLE HARDILY. As a police officer in one of the three towns listed (ca'nt name) I can tell you this:
merger = 9/11.
Thank you for your support! UNITED WE STAND!
Since no building in Little Silver is over 35 feet tall, it would destroy more trees than anything else.
I really resent the fact that anyone would use 9-11 as a scare tactic. This from someone who claims to be a police officer from an area that lost so many people that day. You should be ashamed of yourself.
It is obvious no one posting comments here attended the meeting or read the summary, because if you had, you would know that the recomendations were NOT to merge to three agencies at this time.
The recomendations were remain as three separate PD's, with current staffing, however merge the detective divisions, juvenile bureaus, traffic, purchasing, I/T, communications, and prisoner processing.
The Chiefs were against the first three as they would take existing patrol officers and commit them fully to one of the divisions. This would take away from each agencies abiltity to provide coverage to their own town. How this is improving service, as they said was mandatory, was not demonstrated. When pressed for an estimated cost saving, they (Patriot) admitted they could not.
Also, it's amusing to read the anti-cop sentiment expressed here with such bravado when provided anonymity, however, about 95% of the residents who attended the meeting openly identified themselves and spoke in support of the Police.
Please, at least know what you're talking about before spouting off with misinformation, ignorance, and envy.
At the end of the day, this whole debate will boil down to one factor and one factor only: Will the politicians have the nerve to stand up to the bullies in the three PBAs?
All of the "discussion" on how bad the cops have it walking the "thin blue line between anarchy and order" in these tiny towns is just a side show to the real issue.
Common sense dictates that this makes sense. According to the presentation, the Chiefs themselves are in favor of FULL regionalization just not SHARING. So if the Chiefs are for it, why are the PBAs against it? Easy–money and jobs. This is all a negotiating tactic to force the three towns to pay them all salaries higher than they currently make to get them on board.
The question is, will the politicians be smart enough to call a spade a spade and then do the right thing for the people who put them in office.
Do you HONESTLY think there will be a spike in crime if we share a few cops??!!! Incredible!
End of the Day: exactly right. Getting politicians to tackle real cost saving measures is hard enough, but when you take on one of the sacred cows . . . don't hold your breath.
Why do you need to know my name in a blog? Is it so you can look for me on the street and give me a BS ticket to show how much power you have?
Everyone wants to save tax dollars, however we just spend some $40,000 of those dollars only to be told the cost savings benefit of this project is UNKNOWN??. Chief Breckenridge had the strenght of leadership to do his job and assess a difficult situation. It is not the job of a Chief of Police to blindly agree with something he knows to be wrong. If that were the job I wanted from a Chief, I would also want to vote for him as an elected office. Weather or not you like your local police or are just a disgruntled NJ Tax Payer, it comes down to this; If Patriot had done its job and the governing bodies were transparent about it, most of the questions raised at this meeting would have been answerable, even if unpopular. Don't bash cops for asking questions, when they know information you don't. If you were at the meeting it was obvious that you will not receive the answers that matter, at least not until the proper spin is put on them. That is what is wrong with NJ and is what you all should be questioning. By the way, the same towns spent $10,000 in NJ Tax Payer money studying another merger over two years ago. Did you ever see the outcome of that study made public? How might that study confilct with this one?
With over 566 separate towns in this state there are incredible duplications of police, DPW, town and school administrators, etc….most of whom get generous pensions, health insurance, sick leave and vacations. It’s not just about the police; unless we combine more town services…or towns themselves…and give up our narrow-minded provincialism, our taxes will continue to go up, up, up. We simply can’t afford it.
The poster who said merger = 9/11 is an idiot. Get some perspective please and stop trying to scare the easily influenced and naïve.
You are more likely to die from the smell in Krauszer's freezer than from terrorism.
You're really grasping at straws when you mention terrorism as a reason for not merging and anyone with half a brain is laughing at you.
I still haven't seen an estimate of how much this merger might save me as a taxpayer. It seems this group was paid over $30,000 to come up with a plan that they have no clue whether it will save money or not. Not a very complete report. If they can't demonstrate how much it will save, then why would I want to give up the services provided by local police?
Please understand that the police departments are maybe 8% of your taxes over all yes they might be the biggest part of the municipal budget but when you tax the over-all tax rate at 100% school are on average across the state at 60 to 77%. Police are not the problem in regards to taxes it’s the schools. Second in we earlier post some dope stated the police get 75%pension after 20 years I wish. We get 70% after 30 years and most cops because of the job only get to collect there pension for about 10 years then pass on.
It amazes me but in the meeting everyone praised the police now on here everyone talks down about them. I can tell the individuals that received tickets on this board. Just so we are clear police officer don't get paid necessarily for what they do but what they might have to do. If there is an active shooter in a school who do you think runs in without regard for their own life’s? That’s right the police officer that many on here would like to bash. In the meeting there was not one police officer or PBA representative that was against a merger. Te consulting company never proposed a merger just shared services. So stop stating that the PBA and police are against it and are bullies this is not the case at all. Before you post ridiculous comments first you should attend the meetings.
Bye for now
I came to the shore from Suffolk County Long Island where you have regional (Township) police departments. The entire 70 mile long county has 7 townships for consolidation of bureacracy and it covers taxation, courts, building departments through garage sale permits. It works.
It is a just as diverse as Monmouth County, includes all kinds of towns from tough Brentwood to the Hamptons. Taxes are better and that's why and there is consistentcy and no lack of quality in services. In fact, with consolidated services, you often have better services, for example, many towns here share the same part-time building inspectors or construction officials and the schedule of availabilty is awkward. Have one department servicing several towns and you can be open normal business hours.
A move toward these kinds of mergers is not to be feared, the services are improved without ridiculous duplication of public departments every 3 miles.
Holy crow, can't we all just get along?
The reason these cops are against this plan is because they are not like the other cops. Other cops from the mid west etc. are in it for the cash. These cops live among us and they care. They have kids, homes, wifes and husbands they care about. If you want to plug a leaking hole try the schools! You are just afraid of the NJEA! There is where all your money is going. Next the volunteers! People your council is afraid of the teachers!
Cowards! Go after the schools. You people would drive to Red Bank to save 3 cents a gallon on a $75.00 fill and wipe your butt before you poop! It does'nt make sense. When the F.H. yacht club floats away one day we'll get a better council.
IS reasoned debate over significant issues even possible any more? Does everything boil down to making people (or groups of people) either saints or demons. Reality is never black/white, good/bad, yet so many people's visions of it are so radically extreme.
The economic realities of 2008 are not pleasant. Once legendary corporations are a sneeze away from bankruptcy, our banking and financial markets are (at best) wobbling and energy costs are not improving anytime soon. REAL answers must be found throughout our society, and to assume the public sector should remain immune while the private sector bleeds is folly.
Oh and for the record -
Merger most certainly = 9/11
So, another 9-11 reference. Please tell me, how does having one police force for an area that is no more than five miles across= terrorism that kills over 3000 people? Having one police force will wipe out half of Little Silver? How, please explain this one. If the explainatiion is not forthcomng, I will assume that this is an off handed, easy to use, and idiotic comment.
Without cost saving data, this is far from a complete study, so whether or not, the cost saving is there should be the question.
IF this works, and IF it is cost effective, and IF it does get implemented, then where will the terrorism come from? The possibility that somewhere down the road, the higher levels will be merged into one might mean a few people would be unneeded. The three towns will not go up in flames, and crumble before our eyes. You will still be able to walk to the store, stroll along the rivers, watch the kids play ball, or build a snowman in the front yard.
It's far from settled. There are still too many questions, but deciding beforehand that it will be a total disaster is very short sighted. At least some people are trying to find some cost savings in our taxes. Perhaps starting small in these three towns will actually do something to wake up other areas to the fact that there are other ways of doing things!
Where was the outcry for the public employees 15 years ago during the internet and real estate boom when everyone in the private sector was making money hand over fist? Nobody cared about cops benefits and teachers retirements, and all public employee salaries, just as long as the cops showed up when called, the children got a decent education, and the garbage got picked up. And the public employees did their jobs without one complaint.
Now, because the economy is in a down turn and the local and state governments have badly mismanaged their towns, it's time to go after "bad guys." The ones who had the nerve to fairly negotiate a steady job, with health benefits and the assurance of a decent pension, in exchange for a salary that was far below the average for this area several years ago. Now the private sector cries, "Its not fair, we don't get what they're getting."
What a joke. This isn't about taxes or mergers or any thing else except people being jealous over what they're not getting. You could eliminate all three police forces completely and your taxes wouldn't go down one dime. And you'd still be in the same economic shape you're in today, without having to worry who's getting something you're not. How great would that be! And since there's no crime in this area, you would never have to worry about needing the cops for anything, what a relief!
actually, our taxes would go down by more than $7 million, but don't let a fact get in the way of your great argument, officer.
I'll explain myself:
merger = 9/11 because peace officers are our last line of defense when the bad guys come back. That's a fact.
And $7 million is your fact? You're lost, like so many others around here. Go check your numbers, then get back to us.
And don't go assuming everyone who supports public employees is a cop. If you saw the meeting the other night, the overwhelming majority of those who spoke were not cops, but were there to be heard in support of them, and against a knee jerk reaction to a poorly conceived plan that would serve only to get the politicians name in the papers as "revolutionaries" as Mr O'Scanlon phrased it.
And if you think the towns will lower your tax rate even if this plan is passed, you're even more lost. They would just find a way to spend it elsewhere.
9/11 happened = fact
Cops helped during and after 9/11 (I was one of them) = fact
less cops = more 9/11s = fact
I personally like having our own police force. It a nice hometown feel when you know all the officers in town. And I can't be the only one that appreciates a stern warning instead of a speeding ticket every time you get careless. I have a small cost saving measure we could implement in Rumson. Has anyone checked on the sewer department lately. Now if any department calls for consolidation, its that one. Holy cow, they spend more time patrolling the high school parking lots, ball fields, and local hangouts girl watching than anything.
After reading all of the comments it is easy to see that many of you don't know what you're talking about and many of you must be the idiots that we have cops to protect us from. I'm sure some of you applied for a police job and never got an interview so now your angry and bash cops. Do us all a favor and attend the next meetings before posting again.
Our local cops don't retire after 20 yrs with 75%. They retire after 25 yrs with 65%. Not every cop is making $100,000 a year. Their salaries are posted on app.com. A first year patrolman only makes mid $30,000's and then it takes several years, anywhere from 5-7 years to depending on their contracts, to reach the $80,000 mark. That's not going to buy you a bungalow in these towns. Most can't even afford to live in the town they protect. Most of the cops I know are working two jobs just to make ends meet. They want to live and work here for the same reasons most of us want to live here. A solid education for our children and a safe area for them to live in. There work schedule is brutal. Not only are they working shiftwork but they don't get holidays off (unless their scheduled to have off that day). Christmas morning with the kids? Sorry kids, we can't open gifts until your father gets home at 4pm. Thanksgiving dinner? We're going to have a turkey breakfast because your dad has to go to work tonight. Sounds fun, NOT. Their working when most of America is sleeping and their sleeping whem most of America is working. I worked shiftwork for 5 years in my old job. It sucks the life out of you and tears apart your relationships with family and friends. My 9-5 Mon-Fri is cake compared to those years. Add another 20 years onto that. I like the comment by MineToo: "If the politicians have promised to not lay you off, what is the problem?" Yeah, cause politicians don't lie. Anyone remember "No New Taxes". Idiot. It's not a guarenteed job for life. Their life could end walking up to a car during a traffic stop for something as simple as failure to use a turn signal. Scumbags drive cars and carry weapons and hate cops. Do any of my fellow pencil pushers have to worry about getting shot walking to the next cubicle at work? Didn't think so. As slim as the chance might be, it still exists and is a reality in their line of work, every day. Do you think the only people driving in these three towns are the people who live in them? This "peninsula" is surrounded by towns that have VERY HIGH crime rates and scumbags living in them. Anyone ever hear of Asbury Park, Eatontown, Red Bank, Keansburg? And just because Rum/FH/LS are considered wealthy doesn't mean there is no crime and that they don't have their own scumbags living in them. Most of the police depts time is spent conducting traffic enforcement, quality of life issues (e.g. noise complaints), juvenile matters and larcenies. These things don't seem like a big deal. But don't think that there haven't been sexual assaults, physical assaults, assaults with weapons, deaths (natural and suicides), burglaries, child abuse, auto thefts and domestics in these "rich" towns. As the saying goes "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems". Burglaries are rampant in these towns. Do you think a burglar is going to break into a crack shack in Asbury to find some loot? No. He's heading to the town where there is a better chance of finding some valuables. He'll drive a quick 20 minutes up RT. 35 and make a right turn heading to your neighborhood. He might not even care that your home. He'll sneak through a side door or window while your eating Cheerios on the couch. Who are you going to call if this happens to you? Your friend Paul who makes lattes at Starbucks. No. Your going to dial 911, hide in the deepest corner of you closet, suck your thumb and pray to god that Mr. Policeman arrives at your doorstep within a minute to save your sorry ass. They deserve every hard earned penny they make and I'm glad to contribute.
Bottom line is this. 1) The study makes no mention of projected savings to the tax payer so it is very unlikely that any significant savings are going to occur if there is ever a merger between the towns. Don't you think the study would have mentioned a figure if this was the case? 2) You pay more for you Comast Cable bill every year than what you pay in taxes for you police department. If you want to save money then cancel your cable service and find some rabbit ear antenna and watch channels 2-13. That is GUARANTEED to save you money. This Shared Services crap isn't guaranteeing the tax payer any savings. 3) These councils, especially Eckdahl, want to be able to say they were the "First" towns to successfully merge three departments. What if it isn't? Do they want to say they were the "First" towns to make a horrible decision in their attempt to merge? Better be prepared for that outcome.
I have been a cop for a long time and I have learned one thing, when push comes to shove, the politicians fold like a cheap suit. Contracts always get settled in our favor, grievances always get settled in our favor, we always get what we want.
As long as we keep coming out to meetings and attacking them and threatening them, they will NEVER have the nerve to do this.
The best part is we will be stronger afterwards. Once we have beaten this back we will be in a much better position to get bigger raises and better benefits. i think this will be the best thing that ever happened to us!
Just wase up on the rhetoric a bit. There has never been a politician in these towns with enough nerve to take on the cops. We know it, they know it.
You can tell by the previous post this chump is not a cop.
Wonder if "don't worry" knows how many tax payer dollars were recently spent in one of our towns because town policies were passed that; "No weapons could be in any municipal vehicle" and "No persons not employed by the borough could be in a borough owned vehicle" Since this would make it kinda hard for a police officer to transport a prisoner, or even get in the car himself without being subject to discipline, a wording change relative to police was requested. The local government would NOT alter the language until the matter was heard at the state level. Finally the simple, common sense wording change initially requested was made after much mediation and legal cost. So much for politicians that are looking for more efficient ways to spend your tax dollar.
Hey Haters, first off drop the s, hater is much more appropiate. Your scary. You need to do one or all of the following:
A. get some anger management therapy
B. up your dosage of lithium or valium
C. cut down on your sugar intake
If your a cop, you give me the creeps. Your ignorant comment about us hiding in the closet and sucking our thumbs, come on, was that necessary? Do us a favor. Drive down to Asbury saturday night, without your gun and start screaming at the top of your lungs "your all scumbags". We'll see who sucks their thumb.
Haters didn't write those comments, I did. If I was a cop I'd say I was. I have nothing to hide. I have several friends and family who are cops throughout NJ and the US so I have some knowledge of their work environment and what stuff they have to deal with. I'm in finance, hence the pencil pusher comment. But Haters is definitely not a cop. And I avoid Asbury like the plague cause I get scared easily.
note: the 'posted by' is under the actual narrative, not above it. my bad haters. I meant to say Dont Worry is definitely not a cop.
I'm still laughing at the phrase "hole hardily" from the 9/11 guy back at the start of this thread. Great stuff!
Yeah, "Don't Worry" can't be a cop. . . everything he wrote is true! Might not be very elegant about it, but true none the less.