The Herald-Courier

TRI-TOWN POLICE FORCE IS SUGGESTED




Marilla Town Supervisor John R. Foss has suggested that local towns use their share of sales tax revenue to fund a part-time police force that would augment the services already offered by the Erie County Sheriff’s Department.

The Town of Marilla is expected to receive over $50,000 in additional Erie County sales tax revenue this year as part of a deal brokered by the State Legislature. It is part of a $12.5 million package in which the county reluctantly agreed to share proceeds of the eighth percent of county sales tax receipts with the City of Buffalo, area towns, villages and school districts. But Town of Marilla officials are looking at the money with a wary eye, citing the many cuts in county services that towns will likely have to pick up.

“This is great that we are receiving extra funds, but what are they cutting that we may have to pick up,?” Town Supervisor John R. Foss said.

“Some people have asked what we should do with these extra funds and my answer is, ‘Let’s wait and see what the county budget looks like and then make our decisions’,” Foss told the board on Feb. 9.

But at last week’s regular work session, Foss floated for the first time the possibility of creating a part-time police force in conjunction with the neighboring towns of Wales and Elma to augment what could be diminished Erie County Sheriff’s Department road patrols.

“I know Sheriff’s patrols are one of the areas the county wants to cut, but I believe legally they cannot do so,” he said.

Foss said supervisors of towns served by the Sheriff’s Department were told to expect invoices for the service from the county. “It is my understanding that Sheriff (Timothy) Howard will refuse to do this,” he said.

In proposing to create a part-time police force within the tri-town communities using sales tax proceeds, Foss said that Elma already has the facilities at its new 1600 Bowen Road Town Hall facility. The Sheriff’s Department and State Police have substations at the site.

State Police have already indicated they cannot take on the extra responsibility if the county cuts road patrols.

Foss and other area political and governmental leaders have long maintained that it is Erie County’s primary responsibility to provide police services for residents, and those services are already paid for through taxes. Foss also said by telephone that it could be possible for the three tri-town communities of Elma, Marilla and Wales to contract with another police agency to provide police services at a cost, such as with the Town of Aurora/Village of East Aurora Police Department or by officers from the Town of Lancaster. “There is money available through grants,” Foss said of paying for the creation of a part-time police force. “We’re not talking 24/7 police protection.”

The supervisor said he has already brought up the topic informally with Wales Town Supervisor Rickey A. Venditti and Elma Town Supervisor Michael C. Nolan.

Deputy Marilla Town Supervisor Fred Specht said he wants to see the costs involved before agreeing to a part-time police force.

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