Cicero, NY - Cicero residents are one step closer to getting a chance to vote on whether to keep or get rid of their police department. The town board tonight voted unanimously to hold a public hearing, which is required before it can vote on a local law to abolish the Cicero Police Department — and put the department’s...
View full sizeCicero Police Officer Mike Serafin calls in a traffic stop to the 911 Center in June. The Cicero town board tonight voted to hold a public hearing, which is required before it can vote on a local law to abolish the Cicero Police Department and give residents the chance to vote on whether to keep or get rid of the police department. Cicero, NY - Cicero residents are one step closer to getting a chance to vote on whether to keep or get rid of their police department.
The town board tonight voted unanimously to hold a public hearing, which is required before it can vote on a local law to abolish the Cicero Police Department — and put the department’s fate in voters’ hands.
The public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at South Bay Fire Department, 8819 Cicero Center Road.
Supervisor Judy Boyke told a standing-room only crowd that many residents have brought up the issue as a way to save money and “in order for us to go forward,” residents need to have their voices heard.
“This has been a long time coming,” Boyke said. “… I will not put a price on the safety of the town but it is important for the residents of the town of Cicero to have the opportunity to make this decision. It is not up to the town board.”
Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell said he and the rest of his department are “adamantly opposed” to a public vote. Snell said a committee of residents and police officers are working on a plan to try and reach all residents so they can make a “clear and educated decision.”
“I’m disappointed because this police department has one focus and that is to provide professional, quality public safety to this community,” Snell said.
Cicero Fire Chief Dave Pangaro told the board that Cicero police many times arrive to medical emergency calls before the fire department and ambulance. Two Cicero patrol cars are equipped with AEDs, Pangaro said.
“Cicero police are in the town,” he said. “You don’t know if the sheriff is going to be on another call and in another town.”
Cicero residents Gloria Hamilton and Ed Zaluski told the board they support Cicero police. But Zaluski asked why the amount the town could potentially save by abolishing the police force continues to change. “It seems like after every meeting there are different figures,” he said. “It’s going to be very confusing. But I say, if it ain't broken, don’t fix it.”
Cicero, home for nearly 30,000 people, expects to spend $1.69 million a year on public safety, for a police department with 12 full-time and 10 part-time officers. The department has on average 7.2 patrol cars on the road every day, the chief said.
Cicero taxpayers already pay $2.4 million for the county sheriff’s office to provide policing services in the town. State police also help police the town, and are paid through state taxes.
The Cicero Police Study Committee, a group of residents created by Boyke, recently recommended the town board let the community decide whether to dissolve the Cicero Police Department.
If Cicero residents decide to abolish their police department, the town could chose to pay the county extra money to provide additional sheriff’s department patrols. Here’s what it would cost if the town began contracting with the county in 2011:
• One deputy, from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.; $656,659.
• One deputy, around the clock; $874,223.
• Two deputies, from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.; $1,145,581.
• Two deputies, around the clock; $1,580,710.
If the town starts the contract in 2012, the costs would be higher. The final cost each year to the town could vary depending on the cost of gas, supplies and fringe benefits, including health and retirement costs, according to Jim Rowley, the county’s chief fiscal officer.
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney — who has been a proponent of government consolidation — recently told town officials that Cicero should avoid the additional cost of a police department and rely on the county sheriff’s office and state police.
Sheri Mitchell, the town of Cicero's Democratic committee chairperson, said she’s glad residents will have a say.
“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Mitchell said. “But the people in the town need to decide if we want to support the police department or not. People have been saying for a while that they just want the opportunity to make the choice and we are going to finally have it.”
Catie O’Toole can be reached at cotoole@syracuse.com or 470-2134.