Morristown grows busier by the minute. Major events are proliferating like rabbits. Downtown bars draw hundreds of patrons every weekend. Demands on police officers are greater than ever. Police Chief Pete Demnitz would like a couple more of them.
Officers, that is.
“I believe it’s in everybody’s best interests to have a police force large enough to respond to Morristown’s events,” the Chief said during a budget hearing on Tuesday. Police comprise the largest department in the town government.
Chief Demnitz is requesting a $157,000 increase to his $5.5 million budget that would include two new officers and another pair of patrol cars.
If Mayor Tim Dougherty approves the hires, it would bring the force to 53 officers–down from a peak of 61 when Chief Demnitz was promoted eight years ago, during a prior administration.
Seven rookie officers are scheduled to graduate next month from the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. They will be replacing retired officers and five patrolmen who were re-hired by the city of Paterson this summer after Morristown had hired them following layoffs.
“Home is home wherever you are,” the Chief said. “They felt more at home in Paterson.”
As the county seat of Morris County, Morristown has an abundance of big events. Some of these, like the annual Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade, contribute to the cost of security. Others don’t. Surrounding agencies often pitch in.
On Thanksgiving Eve–traditionally, the biggest drinking night of the year–the Morris County Sheriff’s Department and mounted patrols from the Morris County Park Police joined an all-hands-on-deck effort by the Morristown police to keep the peace downtown.
Since last summer, the Chief also has been paying overtime for extra weekend patrols outside the bars. Initially, a four-person detail was costing around $7,400 per month. That cost has been cut roughly in half, said town Administrator Michael Rogers, because the special patrol is down to two officers. The town council had established a committee to explore ways to charge bar owners for these patrols; no progress has been reported yet.
“They’re still looking at some options,” Michael said.
During Tuesday’s budget meeting, Chief Demnitz told Michael and Chief Financial Officer Ann Cucci that there are times when his officers are not available for overtime, and he must hire outsiders. But he said police from elsewhere are not always as sensitive to local issues, such as customs by area religious groups, and so he would prefer to have more in-house personnel.
Starting pay for Morristown police is about $52,000 a year, Michael Rogers said. The administration gives good marks to the department.
“Given the type of municipality we have, with all the activity going on, we’re pleased with the service they’re providing,” Michael said. “Given the resources they have, I think they’re doing a very good job.”
