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Politics
The Lancaster Town Board unanimously approved a resolution that allows Supervisor Robert Giza to take action with the Personnel Officer of the County of Erie to hire three police officers with full salaries and benefits.
Despite attempts by residents to clarify the intent of the hiring, one that was never clearly stated in the resolution. With few apparent exceptions, the attendees failed to come to an understanding that two officers would be hired to replace the two patrol officers that would move up, and thereon to free two detectives for the narcotic unit.
The third officer would be hired and trained to fill the post of an officer retiring at year’s end, not for the creation of a School Resource Officer in the Middle School (SRO).
Resident Mike Fronczak addressed the board as to the intent of the hiring and where the staffing would go. Considering Justice Dwan had recently addressed the Town Board and voiced that two officers should be hired and placed in a formed narcotic unit and a third be hired to allow for an SRO officer at the Middle School, Fronczak, as did many others, assumed that was the intent of the resolution.
Unfortunately, Supervisor Robert Giza’s response fell short of answering Fronczak’s question. “Two guys to drug enforcement,” stated Giza. No mention was made of the third hire.
Fronczak then asked, “Are we agreeing now that we have a drug problem and that is the reason for the hiring?”
Giza responded that he was not knowledgeable enough to say whether it is severe enough or not as some people allege. “There’s all kind of opinion,” Giza replied.
Fronczak then interjected, “You are the head of the food chain, what do you think?”
Giza answered, “I think we have some drug abuse that needs to be addressed.”
The writer then asked whether a system would be put in place that would benchmark whether the process was a success. The question was asked of Police Chief Gary Stoldt and Town Attorney Richard Sherwood took exception to the question being directed to Chief Stoldt.
Sherwood declared, “This is not a public forum for debate. There are drugs in this town and every other community, and we recognize that. The drugs have changed over the years with the addition of the oxycontins and other prescription drugs like pain- killers that are very potent and addictive. Unfortunately, too often they are coming from their parents’ medicine chests.”
Sherwood added, “The Chief has a larger department now than a few years ago. Where you had 30,000 residents, you now have 40,000 residents.” Sherwood asked whether Chief Stoldt would like to make a statement.
Chief Stoldt responds
They are not just doing drugs now. They are doing burglaries, larcenies, arsons, etc. (to feed their habit). There is more stuff going on out there that I can’t even begin to talk about. We even have white-collar crimes. Ten years, when I first became a Chief, this stuff was unheard of. When you think you have seen it all, something else comes up.
When the officers are trained, two of them will go to patrol and people in patrol will move up, and so forth so that we can free two detectives for narcotics. There is a whole different life out there (today) and not every cop can do it.
There will be results and we will report those results. We will show the results to the board and make them public.
I wouldn’t ask for these officers if I truly didn’t know the problem!”
Board members defend hiring decision
Council Member Dan Amatura interjected that he spoke with Captain Tim Murphy that same day on the same matter. “We are not trying to hide anything,” said Amatura. “Lots of investigations cannot be openly discussed.”
Council Member Ron Ruffino remarked that the hiring should be considered a preventative measure. (Preventative?)
Council Member Donna Stempniak interjected that Chief Stoldt has been asking us for this and we have declined in an attempt to save money. “This is not something that was just brought up in the last couple of weeks. We now feel there is a need in the community and that it’s time to act.”
Giza added that the costs to hire the three officers would be offset should just one child be saved. He added that by keeping an individual out of the penal system “we are saving money”.
Amatura then proceeded to give the following stats for police investigations in the past years:
2004 – 400+
2005 – 430
2006 – 570
2007 – half of 2006 already
“That is why we say we have a need,” declared Amatura.
Resident rebuttal
Chowaniec retorted that there was no need for their upbraiding and insensitivity toward residents questioning the intent and need of the resolution, or any resolution. Considering there had been no openness on the drug abuse status until recently, that a town official had openly stated that the drug situation in the town is not anywhere’s near the seriousness that some opine, and considering that the resolution was not specific as to intent for the three hires, residents had every right to question the resolution.
“Stop being so sensitive! We are not asking for you to reveal any great secrets or information that would hamper an investigation. No one even voiced objection to the resolution. The police department already has a $7.6 million budget and is increasing at well over twice the inflation rate. And, as taxpayers, we can’t ask questions as to intent and need?”
If there was more openness by the board, more information sharing, it is very likely that the residents would become less mistrustful and more supportive to board efforts.
Comments
Conflicting stories and a non definitive written resolution triggered controversy.
There may be only two actual new hires; however, the costs involved are large considering police officer salaries/ benefits, equipment, vehicles, cost of training, etc.
At the same time, Lancaster continues to grow in population. A larger population brings more crime, more drugs, etc. and the need for more police protection. If the town has been less than forthcoming on crime and drug related issues so as not deter others from moving into Lancaster, that reasoning is flawed.
As stated in the Buffalo News: "The police Detective Bureau currently has five officers, Captain Tim Murphy said so the addition of two narcotics detectives would increse the bureau by 40 percent. It would free up the other detectives to focus on other crimminal investigations, which have risen overall by 20 percent to 30 percent over the past five years." (That's the information and stats people need to hear.)
Regardless, town taxpayers have a right to question and receive information on any town matter. We are the stockholders. If this were a private enterprise and money was dispersed to fund a project, there would be a time frame set to make a determination as to whether the project was successful or not.
Stop being so sensitive! We also want what’s best for the community!
© Copyright 2008 by Speakupwny.com
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