Vallone Jr. Warns Police Cuts Put Public In Danger

by john toscano

Declaring "It’s an outrage that we have not received one cent from either the federal or state governments since September 11," police cuts facing the city because of budget constraints will jeopardize public safety.

Vallone issued his warning after a joint hearing last Tuesday by his Public Safety Committee and the Finance Committee, headed by Councilmember David Weprin (D–Hollis).

Vallone (D–Astoria) stated: "We must make difficult budget choices, but these choices must not be made at the expense of public safety. Without adequate law enforcement, the entire fabric of the city is at risk."

Since Vallone made the statement, however, the city’s fiscal picture has brightened somewhat. On Monday, the state legislature overrode Governor George Pataki’s veto of the $1.4 billion city aid plan. The funds are intended to ameliorate large layoffs and service cuts.

Shortly after the Assembly and Senate actions were completed, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that two of eight firehouses scheduled to be closed will remain open because of the approval of the city aid package. One of the two being saved is in Woodhaven. (See separate story elsewhere in this issue).

Another ray of sunshine may be developing in Washington. United States Senator Charles Schumer said last Friday, a day after Vallone’s committee hearing, that the Senate has approved a $2.2 billion appropriation to help New York state and its localities. New York City could receive as much as $469 million. These funds would be in addition to almost $200 million earmarked in New York City homeland security funds delivered to the city already, Schumer said.

Schumer said the relief package for New York state and its localities, including New York City, is part of a bipartisan relief effort sponsored by himself and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe.

Schumer said the legislation, including the Schumer–Snowe provision, will be reconciled with the House version this week and then go to President George W. Bush for his signature.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly testified along with other law enforcement officials at last Tuesday’s joint hearings. Vallone and Kelly warned that reductions to police overtime would result in the elimination of Operation Condor, which combats quality of life crime, and the narcotics initiative, which targets drug crimes.

Kelly also testified, "While conventional crime fighting remains our core mission, the department is taking every possible step to minimize the very real threat posed by international terrorism. It is one of our most important priorities."

Kelly added that the New York Police Department has yet to receive federal funding for the costs the department is incurring for the ongoing protection of New York City from "the very real potential of attack by international terrorists."

Vallone warned, "Despite the huge budget deficit, no agency, including the Police Department, is immune from cuts. We must ensure that the great reduction in crime, made possible by the men and women of the NYPD, continues."

"We must also ensure that the federal and state governments provide the city with its fair share of money for being on the front line in the war on terrorism. It’s an outrage that we have not received one cent from either the federal or state governments since September 11."

Vallone could not be reached before the Gazette’s publishing deadlines yesterday for comment on approval of the state’s funding package from Albany and on Schumer’s statements.

Also testifying before Vallone’s and Weprin’s committees last Tuesday were Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau, and Office of Emergency Management Commissioner John Odermatt, an Astoria native.