Opinions differ on how to get more officers on patrol
YOUNGSTOWN —The city administration, council members and officials with the two police unions agree there is a need to have more officers on patrol.
But they differ on how to accomplish that goal.
Capt. Kenneth Centorame, president of the ranking officers’ union, suggests the department take the 34 plain-clothed patrol officers on the force and “immediately put them on the street.”
Centorame made the suggestion today at a council safety committee meeting. The meeting was scheduled to further discuss legislation approved last week by council to reduce the number of ranking police officers from 66 to 39 through attrition.
The reduction — primarily cutting the number of detective sergeants from 50 to 26 — was recommended by the city’s administration. For every ranking officer leaving the force, a patrol officer would be hired thus putting more cops on the street fighting crime, said Mayor Jay Williams.
“Let’s not lose sight that is the goal,” he said.
Council approved the administration’s recommendation last Wednesday, but agreed that additional discussion to possible change some of the language was needed.
When asked after the meeting if he expected council to make adjustments, Centorame said, “It remains to be seen.”
For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com