Neighborhood Group Opposes Moving Police Dispatch Services
The Short Hills Association voices its opinion in a Letter to the Editor
- Read PBA's letter to the editor, dispatchers statement and Millburn officials' announcement proposing shared services in town for more information on this issue.
Editor, Patch
August 15, 2012
The Short Hills Association opposes the outsourcing of Police Dispatching in Millburn Township because our town deserves the best policing possible.
This is not a matter of saving money; the cost of local dispatching is nominal in comparison to the service provided. Outsourcing this vital service removes both community control and the dispatchers who know the streets, neighborhoods and expectations of the residents. The current system of dispatching involved years of Police Department effort directed to Millburn’s particular needs and problems. Local dispatching engages our police officers and detectives closely with the people of Millburn. It is controlled by our township government and administration.
Police Chief Gregory Weber and the police force oppose outsourcing and Chief Weber questions the ultimate cost which is now a nominal amount per family. Police dispatching differs fundamentally from Fire dispatching which is far less frequent and often involves neighboring towns’ cooperation. We urge Millburn citizens to support Police Chief Weber by contacting the Township Committee. Millburn merits local police dispatching.
Eleanor Wallen
President, Short Hills Association
Old Short Hills
3:24 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
The people of Millburn seem overwhelming united in the cause of keeping police dispatch in Millburn. I hope the arrogant King Tim Gordon and his subordinates the Township Committee are listening to the VOTERS.
If the Township Committee was smart they would use this as an opportunity to restore confidence in the leadership of the duly elected officials and remove Gordon from his throne and place the Fire Chief Roberts back into his firehouse and not making bad choices for the police department.
Just to show you arrogance, does anybody remember that the office Gordon occupies in Town Hall was the Mayor Maureen Ogden’s office? Gordon’s original office was where the township clerk is located. Gordon actually claimed the Mayor’s office for himself, because he doesn’t want elected officials to have offices in Town Hall. Another example of a weak Township Committee and democracy failing.
Good letter Ms. Wallen and thank God the Short Hills Association is smarter than some people in local government.
KLF
6:45 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Just out of curiosity -- and I agree with the SH Association -- what's in it for Gordon to outsource the dispatch?
one who knows
8:36 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Because Tim picks on the weak. He thinks the dispatchers are weak and is still pissed off that they formed a union. He is a bully..
Debrah Block Krol
8:58 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
millburn/short hills NEED the dispatchers!
Barney
9:10 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
I agree that Millburn needs to keep dispatchers. I was wondering where the interview with Tim Gordon went. Did he make it disappear b/c he's getting so much negative pressure on the dispatch issue ?