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Brewster denies village constables' request for guns
By MARCELA ROJAS
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: August 9, 2006)
BREWSTER — Some constables are demanding firearms to safely patrol the village, but Brewster officials say they are not prepared to arm the part-time officers, not even a month into their new job.
Mayor John Degnan said he met with Chief Constable Alex Mancone, the village attorney and a candidate for the community affairs arm of the constabulary force, Monday night to discuss the concerns of some officers, namely the former police officers on the force. The group is mostly made up of former and retired New York City police officers, civilians and a village parking enforcement officer.
"We're hearing that the professional police officers feel that the gun is mandatory," Degnan said. "But I feel that the constables have a lot more work to do before it becomes a police department."
Degnan said at least three constables on the six-member patrol are insisting on carrying guns. Some say the job is dangerous because there is prostitution and drug dealing in Brewster.
But the job, Degnan said, calls for addressing quality-of-life issues, including building inspections and enforcing fire and safety laws. It is unclear whether these three retired cops will return to work, he said. In the meantime, at least one constable reported for duty yesterday, Degnan said.
"Right now, show us results with enforcing quality-of-life issues," Degnan said. "Later we can talk about the evolution of the constabulary force."
At the meeting, Degnan said he assured Mancone that the officers are insured, another issue that was raised. Constables are insured as village employees and are properly covered, including to carry tear gas and batons, Degnan said. They are not insured to carry firearms, officials said.
Mancone did not return phone calls.
Degnan said they also are looking to add a community affairs position to the team to enhance communications between the village and its residents. A Main Street grant will help to refurbish the Cameo Playhouse, a small retail office that will be used by the constables for their base of operations.
The long-awaited constabulary force has been beset with problems. The program was stalled earlier in the summer after one day because hand-held radio signals could not reach the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, a necessity for the constables to call for assistance and talk with one another. The setback was resolved by purchasing a used police car to boost their communications capabilities.
Early on, former Mayor John Cesar would not sign off on the constable program, preferring instead to bring back a dedicated sheriff's patrol. The village did away with its annual $152,016 contract with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for round-the-clock enforcement in 2003.
The constable program was never meant to take the place of the sheriff's department or state police, agencies that do patrol the half-square mile village, officials said.
"It sounds to me like the former police officers want to be cops again. They don't feel secure without a piece, but that's not the job," said village Treasurer Michael Santos. "If they see a crime, then their job is to radio the sheriff and state police."
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/NEWS04/608090312/1020/NEWS04
By MARCELA ROJAS
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: August 9, 2006)
BREWSTER — Some constables are demanding firearms to safely patrol the village, but Brewster officials say they are not prepared to arm the part-time officers, not even a month into their new job.
Mayor John Degnan said he met with Chief Constable Alex Mancone, the village attorney and a candidate for the community affairs arm of the constabulary force, Monday night to discuss the concerns of some officers, namely the former police officers on the force. The group is mostly made up of former and retired New York City police officers, civilians and a village parking enforcement officer.
"We're hearing that the professional police officers feel that the gun is mandatory," Degnan said. "But I feel that the constables have a lot more work to do before it becomes a police department."
Degnan said at least three constables on the six-member patrol are insisting on carrying guns. Some say the job is dangerous because there is prostitution and drug dealing in Brewster.
But the job, Degnan said, calls for addressing quality-of-life issues, including building inspections and enforcing fire and safety laws. It is unclear whether these three retired cops will return to work, he said. In the meantime, at least one constable reported for duty yesterday, Degnan said.
"Right now, show us results with enforcing quality-of-life issues," Degnan said. "Later we can talk about the evolution of the constabulary force."
At the meeting, Degnan said he assured Mancone that the officers are insured, another issue that was raised. Constables are insured as village employees and are properly covered, including to carry tear gas and batons, Degnan said. They are not insured to carry firearms, officials said.
Mancone did not return phone calls.
Degnan said they also are looking to add a community affairs position to the team to enhance communications between the village and its residents. A Main Street grant will help to refurbish the Cameo Playhouse, a small retail office that will be used by the constables for their base of operations.
The long-awaited constabulary force has been beset with problems. The program was stalled earlier in the summer after one day because hand-held radio signals could not reach the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, a necessity for the constables to call for assistance and talk with one another. The setback was resolved by purchasing a used police car to boost their communications capabilities.
Early on, former Mayor John Cesar would not sign off on the constable program, preferring instead to bring back a dedicated sheriff's patrol. The village did away with its annual $152,016 contract with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for round-the-clock enforcement in 2003.
The constable program was never meant to take the place of the sheriff's department or state police, agencies that do patrol the half-square mile village, officials said.
"It sounds to me like the former police officers want to be cops again. They don't feel secure without a piece, but that's not the job," said village Treasurer Michael Santos. "If they see a crime, then their job is to radio the sheriff and state police."
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/NEWS04/608090312/1020/NEWS04
