Chief Barbaria speaks at The Mill in Saugerties

Saugerties Police Chief counters misinformation about Village and Town Police merger

Accompanied by Saugerties Village Trustee Sue LeBlanc, Saugerties Town Trustee Fred Costello, Jr., and Democratic Candidates (Ken White and David Radovanovic) for Village Trustee, Saugerties Town Police Chief Lou Barabria spoke this afternoon to the residents of The Mill in the Village of Saugerties. The focus of the discussion was to answer questions about the possible merger of Saugerties Village and Town police departments.

Next Tuesday, March 16th Saugerties Village voters will have an opportunity to vote YES to proposition No. 1, which approves the merger of Saugerties Village Police Department. The referendum was introduced by members of the Saugerties Village Police Department who petitioned to get language on the Village General Election ballot.

However clear the ballot may be in print, the rumors being spread in this small Village of 4500 has made the question of security murky. For the past several weeks there has been misinformation about the ramifications of the merger and degradation of police service that would result.  Saugerties Town Police Chief Barbaria addressed concerns that resulted from recent Saugerties Village PBA advertisements which appeared in the local newspapers. He felt that it was necessary to get the facts out to concerned residency living at The Mill.

As he has done countless times over the past six months, the Chief explained in great detail of how services to Village residents would actually improve through greater patrols, increased technology and advanced training. He explained that due to its larger size, the Saugerties Town department has greater resources.

Saugerties Town Police Chief talks with The Mill residents.

On January 19, 2010, Village Trustees voted unanimously to enact Local Law entitled “A Local Law Providing for the Abolishment of the Village Police Department”. The specific language of the new law would allow the merger of Village with Town police departments to begin. It also specified that the “dissolution would occur as of Midnight, December 31, 2010.

The Saugerties Village Democratic Party urges you to Vote “YES” to Proposition No.1 next Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Its an historic vote which will result in up to 30% property tax savings for Village of Saugerties residents. And as Chief Barbaria confirmed, there will be MORE and improved police services for the Village of Saugerties residents.