Police consolidation study hits a wall

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By PAT BAILEY

Story Created: Jul 28, 2009 at 5:02 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 28, 2009 at 5:31 PM EDT

WHITESTOWN, N.Y. (WKTV) - A study to see what the cost and benefits would be to consolidate five Oneida County Police Departments - Whitestown, Whitesboro, New York Mills, Yorkville and Oriskany - started a few years back, when now-Congressman Michael Arcuri was the district attorney.

Nearly five years later, there is no definite answer to those questions, and there may not be any answers in the near future.

Just this week, town and village officials from the five municipalities found out they were denied a $50,000 state grant to pay for a further study.

Whitestown Supervisor, Chuck Gibbs, says a meeting may take place between he and the four other municipality heads in the near future to discuss future study options.

On the subject of consolidation, Gibbs says they shouldn't give up.

"We should still keep talking with the villages," Gibbs said. "We are all in the same boat when it comes to trying to provide the best possible police services for the best possible cost. I think some type of consolidation needs to be done. The towns and villages can't keep affording to go the way we are. Something has to change."

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