Updated 01/21/2010 06:02 AM
State Troopers react to budget proposal
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Members of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association are expressing their frustration with Governor Paterson's proposed budget plan.
In a meeting Wednesday, PBA President Thomas Mungeer says Paterson's plan fails to provide money for additional Troopers in the coming year. He says that lack of funding will jeopardize the safety of New Yorkers.
Mungeer also says the last recruits entered the state police academy back in 2008 and the Governor's hiring freeze of the statewide force means there will be no new graduates for the next two years.
"We need more people, we need a class coming up. We can't keep going on like this. We cannot wait until 2012 to get new bodies on the road," said Mungeer.
Mungeer also said the lack of manpower means less backup for troopers responding to emergencies, as well as fewer patrols on rural roadways.
Meanwhile, the Governor says there are many studies out on crime that do not support the PBA's claims. He says New York is one of the safer states in the union and "New York State Police levels are exactly where they need to be to ensure the public safety of all New Yorkers."
He went on to say, "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."