Councilor says dissolving department might cost taxpayers more than keeping it
Cicero Police Officer Mike Serafin calls in a traffic stop to the 911 Center in June. Cicero, NY - A Cicero councilor told a standing-room only crowd tonight that taxpayers in the town could end up paying more to dissolve the Cicero Police Department and contract with Onondaga County for police protection.
Councilor Jim Corl Jr. said the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office would charge about $63,000 less next year, but the cost would continue to increase up to 9 percent for two consecutive years. By 2014, the town could be paying nearly $134,000 more than if it had kept the Cicero Police Department.
The Cicero Police Study Committee, a group of residents created by the town supervisor, recommended last month that the town board hold a public referendum to let the community decide whether to dissolve the Cicero Police Department and contract with the sheriff's office or another police agency for extended services in the town.
Town councilors met for the first time tonight since hearing the recommendation. A half-dozen residents spoke at the nearly three-hour meeting. Some asked for a public hearing, while others asked the board to keep the Cicero Police Department in tact.
"I don’t think the cost will be that prohibitive that we have to change the guard," said Ed Zaluski, of Vanantwerp Drive. "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."
"Everyone needs to give it great consideration," said Gay Barnes, of New Country Drive, "because once we do away with the Cicero Police Department we won’t get it back."
Cicero Town Supervisor Judy Boyke said the town is in negotiations with the Cicero police union. Boyke also said she is still waiting to hear back from the county executive’s office to provide "true numbers for enhanced (police) services."
Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell said he spoke to Undersheriff Warren Darby earlier Wednesday, and Darby affirmed the budget numbers which Corl quoted were "vetted numbers."
Officer Michael Aregano, who’s president of the Cicero Police Benevolent Association, said the county has already provided vetted numbers. Aregano is challenging the county’s efforts to bring new numbers to the table.
Councilor Lynn Jennings said several residents have told him they were concerned about future health insurance costs. The committee found the town pays up to 88 percent of active and retired police officers' health insurance contributions, potentially costing the town up to $600,000 per officer over their lifetimes.
Snell said the health insurance benefit for retirees is cost prohibitive so that most officers will not use it. Sgt. Andy Scherer, for example, retired Aug. 31 and did not take advantage of it so the town will not have to pay for his health insurance costs, Snell said.
"My opinion is we keep the Cicero police force as long as we can," said Corl, who attended the committee meetings as the town board liaison for the Cicero Police Department. "Eighty-seven percent of the people surveyed were satisfied with the services they’re getting."