By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-913188.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Some City lawmakers believe it is time to reorganize the Buffalo Police Department. They are calling for the creation of a joint commission to study police reorganization, specifically they want to reexamine a return to police precincts.
The topic of police precincts surfaced in recent days when acting police commissioner Daniel Derenda told lawmakers at his confirmation hearing that he preferred precincts over districts.
"In my opinion the precincts work much better than the districts", said Derenda.
Six city lawmakers filed a resolution to study police reorganization. It calls to create a panel that would reexamine a 1991 report on police reorganization. The recommendations from that study changed the City's precincts into five police districts. It was designed to free up more officers.
But South District lawmaker Michael Kearns denies that the timing of this resolution is tied to Derenda's nomination and support for precincts over districts.
"There is no coincidence. Whether we have an interim commissioner or we have someone who is going to be the commissioner. People have been asking for years for community policing, neighborhood policing they want police officers to be visible and out on the street", said Kearns.
Council president David Franczyk was a city lawmaker 20 years ago when the police reorganization recommendation was released. He believes its time to reexamine the precinct issue.
"There is nothing important than public safety. I agree with my colleagues. I signed this resolution. I agree with this resol that after two decades it is time again to take a look a probably the most improtant service we can provide to our citizens and that is public safety", said Franczyk.
But a return to precincts could be costly, demand new manpower levels and require cooperation with the police union. Ellicott District lawmaker Curtis Haynes supports the reorganization study. He says resources must be used wisely.
Lawmakers say with a loss in Buffalo's population and new crime fighting technology it is time to reexamine the Police Department.