Bond to Pay for Renovations at Police HQ Fails

When it rains, sewage backs up into the building. There's a urine smell in the gym. Heating doesn't work in the winter.

This is Hoboken's Police Head Quarters as described by its chief, Anthony Falco.

Falco attended Wednesday night's council meeting to try and persuade the city council to pass a bond ordinance, which would fund renovations and improvements at the police station. During his statement—which included both a wishlist (fix the sidewalk, better cameras, more toilets) and the grievances of having his officers work in bad conditions—he also said that the police department currently stores its evidence in a trailer in the parking lot, with not enough camera surveillance; a potential danger.

All in all, the chief told the council, things are pretty bad.

"Set politics aside and do what's right," Falco said.

The bond amount in question, explained Nick Trasente, who works for the city part-time in the capacity of finance director, is roughly $2.8 million. Trasente said also that a bond ordinance is a common way to finance large capital expenses.

Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo said he because he believes these costs should be taken out of the capital budget. "Why are we not paying for all these items out of the plan?" Russo said.

In a near-shouting match that went on for multiple minutes, the finance director and the councilman tried to fight it out.

"Why didn't you plan for it other ways?" Russo asked Trasente.

"Find $2.5 million for me," Trasente answered.

"With all due respect," Russo shot back, "that's not my job. It's yours."

Chief Falco's plea, meanwhile, was not enough to persuade the minority members of the city council to vote in favor of the bond ordinance.

Falco said also that the police department is in need of more and better equipment for snow storms and other bad weather scenarios.

"During (Hurricane) Irene I didn't have sufficient vehicles to navigate the floods," Falco said.

The five majority council members voted in favor of the bond and tried to persuade council members Beth Mason, Theresa Castellano, Tim Occhipinti and Russo to vote with them.

"This is a top tier city and it’s a shame that our employees, our public safety employees and our residents have not been receiveing top tier services," said Councilman David Mello.

Mason said she didn't agree with all the items that the bond would pay for and said she wanted to see a new ordinance drafted.

Castellano said she voted against because she believes the city goes out to bond too often.

After the ordinance failed, Falco walked back up to the dais and promised that his officers will be on foot patrol, no matter what the conditions of the building are. But he wasn't happy. 

"Am I angry? No," Falco said. "Am I disappoined? yes."