EXCLUSIVE: Officer Gary Przewoznik, President of the union, said he was disheartened that this announcement was made to the media without prior notification to the union so he could have prepared the officers affected. “This is a very emotional issue for these officers,” said Przewoznik, “they are not just a number in a budget book. They could have extended these officers some basic consideration because this does affect their lives.”
Lakewood currently employs 99 township police officers and 24 superior officers. Eight of the officers have submitted papers to retire. Last year, Township officers responded to over 87,000 calls for service and over 85,000 calls so far this year. The current Census figures have not been released, but the union estimates the population to be approximately 80,000 residents.
Officer Przewoznik said, “Our officers have continued to do their jobs despite the fact that we are working with minimum manpower. This situation will be exacerbated by the fact that six officers have recently retired, another eight will be leaving and the Township is looking to reduce our manpower by another five.”
“The residents in our community need to be aware that their elected officials are choosing to severely hinder our ability to respond to them in their time of need,” said Przewoznik. “I should note that of the 99 officers currently employed, approximately 30 of those officers work in administration, the detective bureau, and other assorted capacities within the police department. That means that only 60 officers respond to calls for service, or 55 officers if they proceed with these layoffs.”
Township Manager Michael F. Muscillo, in papers submitted to the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, said that the Township will have an increase of Pension contributions in excess of $850,000 and they need to take extreme measures to address a projected shortfall.
“I do not understand how the Township can site a shortfall of $850,000 when we estimate that they will experience a savings of $1.6 million in salaries when all 14 officers retire,” said Przewoznik.
“Our members feel that we are not receiving an accurate accounting of Lakewood Township’s budget, so we are going to file an OPRA request to see where our residents’ tax dollars are being spent. We are especially interested in the salary, benefits and vouchers submitted by the Township Committee,” added Przewoznik. “We are also looking into hiring a forensic auditor to find out if there are other areas within the budget that the Committee could find to cut that would not so adversely affect the residents.”
“All of our officers are personally invested in this community and want to ensure that the residents’ safety and well-being is being considered in these budget decisions. We do understand how tough the past few years have been economically, but we also want to ensure that cuts aren’t made at the expense of the communities’ protection,” added Przewoznik.
Go with the audit. How can the town justify a raise of $25000 to a friend of a committeeman and appoint others to$ 25000 no show positions and lay off police officers who handle life threating situations daily? The old addage its boot what you know its who you know. Go with the audit you will be amazed at what you find then go public with it.e
To Anon
Move then if you are not happy here !
PS every taxpayer pays for these services which i galdly pay for , unlike the give aways that this town seems to think we can afford!!!
TO
A Lakewood Officer says:
Well Said !
to # 90
first of all to answer how i got 70-80% ?
that was being moderate, lets start with #209,#238, n # 308 hows that for family ? n i can go down the list n make my point loud n clear so if u a cop which sounds like u r u should know better what ur rosters look like.
2nd i do have a friend who did pass all tests including the psyc n did in fact score the highest of the next round to b hired , but was skipped over only merely due to there was a few family members who had family priority. so keep the garbage to ppl who dont know any better. so better luck to you next time on ur assumptions.
why dont we just let the forensic audit party begin.
and maybe the % would n should be clearer to the public.
Walk a mile in our shoes…..try to resuscitate a pulsless infant after the mother forgot it in the bath tub.
Walk a block in our shoes…..after dealing with a situation where the husband stabs the wife because dinner wasnt up to par, your very next call REQUIRES you to run into a burning motel on Madison and 7th street because a man decided to light himself on fire.
Walk a step in our shoes…..jump into the Metedeconk River, to save a drowning man, only to pull his lifeless body 30 feet to shore. Or run up to a vehicle fully engulfed in flames and as you attempt to pull the drunken driver from it, he throws a few punches at you.
Wake up and put those shoes on everyday for at least 25 yrs…..
…..After watching Fellow Brothers and Sisters make the ultimate sacrifice. Constantly being scrutinized for our slightest mistake. After dealing with all the real life situations I mentioned and more…..when asked to name an act of heroism that one felt they should be honored or awarded for we answer, “Isn’t that part of our job?”
Im good friends with the Officer’s who are at risk of losing their jobs, as well as with the community who would be losing great Cops.
We need to look beyond whats good for our wallets and think of whats good for the community on a whole. The balance is already skewed in the Bad guys favor, your only helping them more…..