RELEASE: Ossining Court Consolidation: An Update from the Village Board of Trustees

The Village of Ossining, in partnership with our colleagues on the Ossining Town Council, has embarked on an important, innovative, and efficient consolidation of our Village and Town Courts. The Board’s passage of a resolution abolishing the position of Ossining Village Justice/and dissolving the Village Court at its September 6, 2011 Legislative Session was an important step in the process.  Much work remains to be done, however.  One of the most prominent and important issues regards the transport of prisoners in the Village courts. Following adoption of this resolution, the Village Board met with the leadership of the Village Police Department, Chief Joseph Burton and Captain Scott Craven, to discuss this matter.  The Board also met with representatives of the Policemen’s Benevolent Association to hear their thoughts on this issue and to solicit their insights on an appropriate resolution of this aspect of consolidation.

The Board feels strongly that Village police management of prisoner transport is an important aspect of Court operation and should be maintained for the immediate future.  Therefore, the Board is pleased to announce that the Village will continue to fund prisoner transport costs by the Village of Ossining Police Department.  

As we move ahead on this consolidation process, other important issues remain to be decided.  Many more discussions will take place as we move forward.  The Village Board and our colleagues on the Town Council are committed to providing Ossining residents with a smoothly-running, efficient and cost-effective Court administration and look forward to continuing our rich history of delivering innovative and fiscally responsible solutions to all aspects of Village and Town services.

This press release is from the Board of the Village of Ossining.