CICERO -- The town of Cicero is closer to deciding the future of the police force.
Wednesday night the town board set a date for a public hearing on the issue. That meeting will be held on December 8th at 7pm at the South Bay Fire Station. After collecting comments, the board will decide whether to approve the local law to abolish the police department. If it passes through the board, it will then go up for a vote in a special election, and the board must put up that referendum within 60 to 75 days of passing the law.
The force has 12 full time and 10 part time officers. Some residents like George Barrett are concerned coverage from sheriff's deputies and state troopers won't stack up to the service they currently get. "They're only going to give us a couple of sheriff's deputies and we need more in this town. Plus when there is a problem, the Cicero police are right on top of it."
Town Supervisor Judy Boyke says it will save taxpayers $1.4 million, which some say is a needed tax break. "We can't afford all of these luxuries that we don't need. The Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police are well equipped to take care of the Town of Cicero," said James Coleman.
The board has held a series of public meetings about this issue.
Supervisor Boyke told the crowd that she would not put a price on safety, but it's something taxpayers will likely have to do, if they head to the polls.
Two years ago, voters in neighboring Clay overwhelmingly approved a plan to consolidate police forces with the sheriff's office. Cicero town officials say this would be different though, because the local law abolishes the department, instead of consolidating it.
