Politics on the Hudson

Rockland’s largest police union today announced its endorsement of Democrat Thomas Zugibe for county district attorney in the November election.

The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, representing eight of 11 police departments in Rockland, chose Zugibe over reigning District Attorney Michael Bongiorno, a Republican who took office in 1995.

Zugibe’s camp made immediate hay out of the endorsement by boasting it was the first time the PBA hasn’t backed an incumbent and claiming the endorsement was a vote of no-confidence in Bongiorno.

“We are thrilled and honored to have the PBA’s endorsement; an endorsement that I consider to be the most important in Rockland County,� Zugibe said. “The DA has to work hand in hand with local enforcement every day and to not have the police wanting to continue with the current DA clearly signals a vote of no confidence in Mr. Bongiorno and says it is time for a change.�

PBA President Cyril Kerr, a Piermont police officer, was less flamboyant in his comments, but praised Zugibe.

“We are very impressed with Zugibe’s thinking and believe that he is the best person for the job as the county’s chief prosecutor,� Kerr said. “The DA must work very closely and collaboratively with the various
police departments throughout the county and we are confident that Zugibe would provide this as DA.�

The PBA, Kerr said, interviewed both Zugibe and Bongiorno.

Zugibe said he laid out his platform for making Rockland a safer place for its citizens. He
said chief among his plans is to implement a community prosecution strategy which teams up DA officials with law enforcement officers in various at-risk crime areas to help prevent crime and to prosecute and
convict repeat offenders. His platform also calls for a special victims unit in Rockland County and putting more emphasis on early intervention as a deterrent to crime.

Bongiorno boasts of reported crime dropping to record lows since he became Rockland’s top prosecutor, saying his office has focused on securing longer prison sentences for repeat offenders, as well as going after drug dealers and violent criminals. He has credited the success with cooperative efforts with the local police departments, state police and federal agencies.

Bongiorno said he has worked well with police officers during his 12 years in office and has retained support from the rank-and-file-police officers, despite the decision from the union’s leadership. He noted he also has been endorsed for re-election by the Rockland County Sheriff’s Deputies Association. the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, the New York State Court Officers Association, the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association, the Dectectives Endowment Association of the NYPD.

Bongiorno became Rockland’s top prosecutor in May 1995 by appointment after working for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office from 1981 to 1995, supervising more than 60 assistant prosecutors. See “Bongiorno’s bio”:http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/DA/RC_DA_Bio.html

Zugibe worked for the Rockland District Attorneys Office from 1981 to 1987, serving as executive assistant district attorney under then District Attorney Kenneth Gribetz, who resigned in 1995 after pleading guilty to federal corruption related charges. Bongiorno succeeded Gribetz. Zugibe entered private practice since 1987 and served nearly 18 years as a West Haverstraw justice. See “Zugibe’s bio”:http://zugibe4da.com/

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