Village of Frankfort Police Department could face cuts
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: September 27, 2012
Police Officer, Cesar Martinez is from the Albany area and has been making the drive to Frankfort for over two years.
"I've been very committed to the department, the changes that we've gone through," said Officer Martinez.
But Officer Martinez could soon be seeing some other changes.
"They want to reduce two full-time officers to part-time status, which would leave me with one full time working office," said Frankfort Police Chief, Ronald Petrie.
Village Mayor Frank Morocco says the cuts have to do with lack of money.
He says they had $290 thousand in the fund at the end of May, and between the 2012 and 2013 budget, the village used more than half of that to balance the budget, and had to pay an additional 60 thousand in tax relief.
Morocco says since they don't have enough to balance the budget, Officer Martinez could be one of two full timers who could move to part time.
"Having to travel that far for making what we do if they drop us down, that's probably not going to be feasible," said Officer Martinez.
Chief Ronald Petrie says he's worked with just three full time officers, but going down to one concerns him when it comes to money and safety.
"Not knowing if you have an officer covering the street or not is a safety issue to every village resident, every business in this village," he said.
Mayor Morocco says the two officers could still work up to 40 hours, but Chief Petrie says that's not logical.
"If you have a full time job, and your boss comes to you and says we're going to reduce you from full time status to part time status, which includes a reduction in pay over 30% and no longer will you be entitled to benefits, why would you stay with that company?" he said.
Mayor Morocco says the board plans on voting on the issue on Thursday, October 4th.
"I've been very committed to the department, the changes that we've gone through," said Officer Martinez.
But Officer Martinez could soon be seeing some other changes.
"They want to reduce two full-time officers to part-time status, which would leave me with one full time working office," said Frankfort Police Chief, Ronald Petrie.
Village Mayor Frank Morocco says the cuts have to do with lack of money.
He says they had $290 thousand in the fund at the end of May, and between the 2012 and 2013 budget, the village used more than half of that to balance the budget, and had to pay an additional 60 thousand in tax relief.
Morocco says since they don't have enough to balance the budget, Officer Martinez could be one of two full timers who could move to part time.
"Having to travel that far for making what we do if they drop us down, that's probably not going to be feasible," said Officer Martinez.
Chief Ronald Petrie says he's worked with just three full time officers, but going down to one concerns him when it comes to money and safety.
"Not knowing if you have an officer covering the street or not is a safety issue to every village resident, every business in this village," he said.
Mayor Morocco says the two officers could still work up to 40 hours, but Chief Petrie says that's not logical.
"If you have a full time job, and your boss comes to you and says we're going to reduce you from full time status to part time status, which includes a reduction in pay over 30% and no longer will you be entitled to benefits, why would you stay with that company?" he said.
Mayor Morocco says the board plans on voting on the issue on Thursday, October 4th.
