The sign outside Lew Bersani's business sends a clear message to the town board, he wants voters to decide whether to abolish the Cicero Police Department. Despite the town board already voting to not raise the question among voters in a town-wide vote.
"A lot of people are upset that the never had the choice," Bersani said. "The petition that we are taking up is only to have referendum, it's not for or against police."
Pages of the petition are filling up, as volunteers go door to door to collect names. The group is aiming for 2,000 signatures, or 10 percent of the town, which they think will force a referendum under New York law. But the Cicero Town Attorney Anthony Rivizzigno tells CNY Central the law only applies to government entities and wouldn't fit for the police department.
Still, John Winters, who has signed the petition, says he wants to vote. "Whether you support the police department or you don't, you should support a referendum. Then the community can put this behind us," he said.
Back in December, the Cicero Town Board was debating whether to put the issue of dissolving the Police Department in the voters hands. It ultimately decided not to put it up for a town vote. The department remained intact.
"When we had our public hearing, the majority were in favor of keeping the police dept," said Cicero Councilman James Corl.
Corl says consolidating the police department with the sheriffs office didn't make sense financially. He says it would cost taxpayers 9 percent more for services. Corl adds the town didn't have the figures to support whether completely abolishing the department would save any money.
"We as a board have to be very cognizant that we if put something before the public, that all the research and the numbers have been done and compiled because the number one priority is public safety," said Corl.
Voters signing the petition say even if it doesn't force a referendum, it's a strong plea to the board to reconsider a referendum.
