Town of Ossining Finalizes Police Merger with County

Town of Ossining Supervisor Catherine Borgia and Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino formally signed a $2.3 million, four-year contract bringing county police services to the town in an effort to save funds on Wednesday.

"The Town chose to contract for police services with Westchester County because it was the most economical way to provide the excellent police services that residents demand," Borgia previously told Patch in an email.

The Town—which includes part of the Village of Briarcliff Manor—began integrating the local police department into the county's Department of Public Safety beginning January 1 of this year.

"The contract between Westchester County and the Town of Ossining is an example of how municipal governments can work together to provide the best available services to residents at the lowest possible cost," Astorino said, according to a statement from the county. "I applaud Supervisor Borgia and the members of the Town Board for looking for creative ways to reduce the tax burden in their community."

The town has been gradually phasing into a full integration, according to Westchester County Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth.

Most recently, on March 2, former Town of Ossining Police Chief Mark Busche was formally given the title of captain in the county police force.

The integration began on Nov. 17 of 2010, when the town turned over dispatch and communication responsibilities over to the county. Other phases included the New Year's Eve ceremony when Ossining police officers and detectives were sworn in as Westchester County officers.

On January 31, town officers, including one lieutenant and three sergeants, were sworn into the county police force.

"This approach enabled us to make as seamless a transition as possible," explained Longworth.

The statement said the Town will recognize a savings of approximately $600,000 this year, "and as much as $800,000 in subsequent years," by utilizing county services rather than its own.

The contract provides two officers to patrol the town during the day and evening, and one during the "midnight tour."

Additionally, the county will provide a school resource officer at the Anne M. Dorner Middle School and a detective to head up the town's investigative unit.

Astorino pointed out the town is responsible for paying the aforementioned officers, including salaries, benefits and all pension costs.

"This contract is tax neutral to Westchester County taxpayers," he said. "The county is not subsidizing the Town of Ossining."

As we two of Ossining's voting districts. Village Manager Philip Zegarelli stated at the time the discussion had been revived due to some Ossining residents' displeasure with the police merger.

Though he said the "jury is still out" on whether the agreement would be beneficial to residents, Borgia stated, "The agreement with the County is currently being implemented with great success."