Public Safety vs. Town Budget

In tough economic times, the town has to decide what services are needed and how to wisely spend the budget.

When Police Chief Daniel McMahon addressed the town board during a work session on June 8, and asked for permission to call for the Civil Service List to fill two police positions, it turned out the town might not be able to afford it. After a heated discussion, the town unanimously agreed to the call of service list, and would address filling the positions in August after further discussions about the town's financial status.

The call to the civil service list entails interviews and background checks. If no job offer is made in August, the next chance would be in January. The police department lost one person to retirement and another one to resignation in the beginning of this month. There are currently 56 police officers on staff.

The Yorktown Police Department is the only staffed 24/7 town department and Chief McMahon said when residents are without water, electricity, heat, or in hazardous road conditions, they call the police department because they know someone will assist them.

"The Police Department provides services to the community that goes far beyond traditional policing," he said.

During the meeting's heated debate, residents in attendance also shouted their opinion, despite the no public comment rules.

Councilman Terrence Murphy said the town is tight on cash and needs to figure out where to get the funds from.

According to statistics Chief McMahon provided, the number of police officers for every 1000 people in Yorktown is 1.53, while the highest number is in Pelham Manor Village, with 5.13 police officers per 1000 people. Chief McMahon continued the discussion by saying that if the town cuts more people, the police department would not function as effectively.

"We can't provide services without the body to do so," he said.

Supervisor Susan Siegel said there is crisis across all town departments because of budget issues that are being carried over from 2009. She said it is difficult to cut taxes and have services at the same time.

"We're not bankrupt, we're not in a crisis, but we're in a difficult shape," she said. 

Since 1996 the town has never laid off a police officers, Councilman Nick Bianco said, and he asked for more time to think about what the town expenses are, because he did not want to hire a police officer and then to have to lay him or her off because of insufficient funds.

"At what point is public safety in jeopardy?" Councilman Jim Martorano asked. "There is no monetary value of public safety."

Martorano suggested the town hires one person until they are certain of the financial status.

Chief McMahon said it is important to ask residents what kind of service they want.

"If you don't have the coverage, and there is a call, people will wait," Highway Department Superintendent Eric DiBartolo said. "I don't think [the town] should be cutting on public safety."

DiBartolo, who works closely with the police department, said the town is fortunate to have the expertise the police department gives residents.

According to 2009 statistics provided by the department, officers responded to 13,028 calls for service, investigated and wrote 10,324 reports, made 1,196 arrests, wrote 7,412 summons, investigated 1,230 auto accidents, and responded to 1,284 residential and business alarms.