Mark Palesh says he never authorized police department to accept free vehicle: 'There's not one need it meets except that it looks neat and it's got a machine gun turret.'
Auburn city manager Mark Palesh sent a Humvee back to the Army because he said it didn't meet the city police department's needs. Here Larry Hurley, chief of the Athens Pa., Township Police, stands next to a Humvee the department uses to fight methamphetamine dealers. Auburn, N.Y. - The Auburn Police Department thought it had a hummer of a deal. Unfortunately for them, City Manager Mark Palesh considered the offer ho-hum at best and his opinion prevailed.
Police are still smarting over the city manager’s decision to send back a free, low-mileage, armor-plated Humvee to the Army at Ft. Drum. Here’s what happened:
The department’s Emergency Response Team recently received the vehicle as part of a cooperative agreement between the Army and law enforcement agencies nationwide. The SWAT team planned to use the vehicle to respond to potentially dangerous calls.
However, the department never included Palesh in discussions leading up to receiving the Humvee on Sept. 30. The next day, Palesh told police to return the vehicle. He said the Humvee failed to meet department needs, but his unilateral decision triggered criticism from police, the mayor and some city residents.
“No, I’m not OK with it. I would definitely have liked to have the vehicle. It’s a good tool to have in your arsenal,’’ Police Chief Gary Giannotta said.
Palesh said he never authorized police to take the vehicle. The Humvee could only carry four officers and there was no room for equipment, according to Palesh.
“It didn’t meet our needs….There’s not one need it meets except that it looks neat and it’s got a machine gun turret,’’ Palesh said.
Giannotta and police office Mike Roden, the SWAT team commander, both said city streets are becoming more dangerous with more people packing lethal weapons. Having the Humvee could have saved someone’s life, they said.
“Even if it was used only once for the betterment of the community I’m OK with it….And it was free,’’ Roden said.
The Ulster County sheriff’s department wound up with the Humvee. Now the Auburn SWAT team is left with a 23-year-old converted ambulance that has languished in the repair shop for the past two years. It is being fixed now, Palesh said.
Mayor Mike Quill took Palesh to task for not including City Council in his decision to return the Humvee.
“He had to realize this was going to create a firestorm and he should have asked for council input on it,’’ Quill said.
You can reach Scott Rapp at srapp@syracuse.com or 289-4839