Police Merger Forum Set for Tuesday

The public will have a chance to weigh in on a controversial proposal to merge the county police department with the sheriff’s office at a forum in Teaneck Tuesday night. 

Democratic Freeholders David Ganz and Joan Voss announced they would hold a countywide series of “listening tours” on the proposed consolidation. The freeholders on the November ballot and passed an ordinance on first reading to immediately disband the police department, .

County Executive Kathleen Donovan, an outspoken opponent of the merger, filed a .

“We have already heard from the elected officials,” Ganz said in a statement. “Now it’s time to hear what the people of Bergen County have to say.”

Ganz has said he would not vote for a second reading to dissolve the county police unless the issue goes to a public vote and the listening tour is completed.

The first stop in the tour is set for Monday at the Oakland Senior Center, starting at 6 p.m. The Teaneck forum will be held Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at the , Multipurpose Room 1.

The freeholders also announced they will accept comments by email at bergenlisteningtour@gmail.com and share the responses with the full board. 

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