County Takeover of the Yorktown Police Department

By J. Mark Drexel

Town Supervisor proposes loss of local control and putting public safety decisions in the hand of others.

At first blush, the proposal for the takeover of the Yorktown Police Department by Westchester County does not pass the common sense test. The issue is not just about economics. What about the toll on our daily lives? This is about the loss of local control and putting public safety decisions in the hand of others. Community policing will be a thing of the past. The County Police do a fine job carrying out their current charge of patrolling county parkways and protecting county properties, but their core competency is not community policing. Even NYC is moving toward neighborhood policing. Programs like D.A.R.E. and school resources officers will likely suffer. Resources will undoubtedly be "reallocated" throughout the county based on the immediate need, potentially leaving Yorktown venerable or relying on state police or surrounding departments.

What about the cost? County taxes may rise not just for Yorktowners but also communities throughout Westchester. The cost of the study itself will be borne by taxpayers. The takeover may affect our officer's benefits or seniority. Supervisor Peters and County Executive Spano are proposing to bolster the county's force at our expense. Is this just another way of the already "bloated" county government to try to justify its existence?

The questions we must ask ourselves even before a study is commissioned are:

• Is this what we want for our Town?
• Will this jeopardize our quality of life?
• Will the presence of a county police precinct building with depleted staff create a false sense of security?
• What will the county want to take over next? Fire? EMS? Public Works?

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When this idea was first hatched, I asked, "What about the toll on our daily lives? This is about the loss of local control and putting public safety decisions in the hand of others. Resources will undoubtedly be "reallocated" throughout the county based on the immediate need, potentially leaving Yorktown venerable or relying on state police or surrounding departments.

To that point, let's look at what you as a resident might encounter today if the county or for that matter the state took over the policing of our town. One might look to our neighbors in Cortlandt.

A visit to the "Cortlandt Emergency Services NYS Police Headquarters" would reveal a locked door with a sign that states:

If you require NYSP assistance and the door is locked, please press the yellow call box and someone will assist you. (see photo)

And a visit to the "Westchester County Department of Public Safety North Command" in Cortlandt would reveal a locked door with a sign that states:

There is No Officer located inside this precinct. A county Police unit is on patrol 8AM until 12AM, 7 days a week.

For police assistance please call 914-864-7701 or pick up call box telephone located outside front door.(see photo)

Is this what we have to look forward to if we give up local control and let the County take over the policing of our town??