Politics on the Hudson

The union for the State Police today criticized Gov. David Paterson’s bulging security detail, saying the number of officers assigned to the governor has swelled to more than 200 members while Paterson has ordered a hiring freeze among their ranks.

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association said Paterson’s detail has been beefed up but troopers haven’t had a new recruiting class since January.

“The bottom line is the governor’s poor judgment in refusing to replenish the ranks of troopers and authorize troopers to cover shifts through overtime is endangering public safety, and the public has the right to know that,” PBA President Thomas Mungeer said.

Mungeer said the number of troopers on patrol has declined from nearly 3,000 in 2006 to about 2,700 now. The officers lose an average of 120 officers a year through attrition, he said.

“We need manpower on the road and this special detail is chewing up our manpower,” Mungeer said.

There was no immediate comment from Paterson’s office.

Updated: Here’s the statement from Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook:

“New York State Police levels are exactly where they need to be to ensure the public safety of all New Yorkers. Decisions on ESD staffing levels are set by the State Police based on security needs and are independent from the influence of the Governor or his staff.

“The budget decisions that have been made during this historic economic crisis have been difficult, but they have been made in a way that protects public safety. Now, special interests are trying to score political points against the governor for making the tough calls—special interests whose appetite for increased spending is responsible in part for the State’s fiscal crisis. These same special interests will say and do anything to get their way even if it means forcing the State to go broke. Governor Paterson has shown that he will stand up for the people of New York and fight the special interests—New York State will not run out of money on his watch.”

Here’s the full release:

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The New York State Troopers PBA has become increasingly alarmed by Gov. David Paterson’s disregard for public safety by ignoring State Police manpower problems and not allocating proper tools and resources to state and local highway departments.

In the name of cost-cutting, the Governor has not authorized any new recruits since the last State Police Academy class graduation in June, and has ordered the State Police to cut back on overtime shifts.

“The Governor and the leaders of the New York State Police would never publicly admit that this agency is understaffed, but we’re here to tell you what they won’t,” said State Troopers PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer. “The areas covered by Troopers are double, and sometimes even triple, what they were covering a short time ago. Our ranks are stretched thin, and without overtime shifts to cover staffing gaps, the public is suffering.”

Ironically, despite the inadequate manpower due to attrition and requests for help by municipalities, this same Governor has reassigned road Troopers to the detail assigned to protect him and his entourage, increasing the size of that detail to more than 200 members.

“The bottom line is the Governor’s poor judgment in refusing to replenish the ranks of Troopers and authorize Troopers to cover shifts through overtime is endangering public safety, and the public has the right to know that,” Mungeer said.

In addition, Troopers, who are first responders to accidents and other emergencies, can attest to the lack of highway maintenance causing dangerous situations. Just the first few snowstorms of the season have wreaked havoc across the state. Troopers, who spend a great amount of time patrolling highways, have noticed the difference in response time for maintenance services including sanding, plowing and de-icing roadways.

“During a snowstorm, when someone is in a car accident and dials 911, Troopers are among the first responders to show up at the scene. Our Troopers are already required to drive in these dangerous conditions, and when cuts are added to state and local highway departments that leave roads not plowed frequently enough, that spells disaster,” said PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer.

When Troopers respond to accidents, they are often out of their vehicles and standing in traffic lanes and along the side of highways, leaving them vulnerable to passing motorists.

The Paterson administration has sounded the alarm of economic disaster for New York state since taking office in March 2008, while the public was already well aware of the state’s economic condition.

“In spite of authorizing cuts that jeopardize the safety of citizens, Governor Paterson is increasing the size of his entourage. The Governor should focus on solving fiscal problems through economic growth and other means,” Mungeer said. “That’s what governors are elected to do.”

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