Several Village of Owego residents attended the Friday, Jan. 16 meeting of the County and Village Public Safety Committees who met to start discussion of options for police coverage in the village. One group of residents wore “I Want My OPD” tee shirts. Pictured, from left, are Phoebe Morris, Nancy Kobylarz, Theresa Gosart, Michelle Pollard, Richard Pollard and Trina Blanks. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The Village Public Safety Committee and the County Public Safety Committee met on Friday morning, Jan. 16, 2015 in the Legislative Conference Room at 56 Main St. in Owego to open up discussions regarding police protection in Owego, N.Y.
In attendance at the meeting were Village of Owego Trustees, Tioga County Legislative Chair Marte Sauerbrey, Owego Mayor Kevin Millar, Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard, Owego Police Department (OPD) Chief Karen Vinti, other officials and police personnel, as well as several village residents.
The public was invited to attend, however public comment was not opened up for this particular meeting because it was cited as a continued discussion process.
Village of Owego 1st Ward Trustee and Chairperson of the Village Committee, Steven May, opened the meeting by stating that the meeting was called to start an exploratory discussion with the County of the possibility of the Tioga County Sheriff’s office to provide policing services to the Village of Owego.
May explained that the Village Board created a public service committee designed to gather data on all possible options to present to the public in an open forum. May stated that the Jan. 16 meeting was called to explore the one option.
A series of written questions were prepared by the Village Committee and given to the County at the meeting, although not discussed with attendees. It was announced that a follow-up meeting be planned in the immediate future to discuss the questions and answers, which allows opportunity for the County to prepare their written response.
Several village residents attended the meeting to show support for all village residents and to publicly display their voice regarding the issue of police coverage.
“The public has a say, and we have to let our elected officials know,” said Theresa Gosart, who shared that there are a good number of residents concerned about the current situation.
Michelle Pollard shared, “We’re here to help break the silence and show support for the residents and OPD.” In reference to the fact that the March vote is still weeks away, Richard Pollard added, “It’s unfair to citizens to have to wait for a decision without coverage.”
Phoebe Morris echoed what she feels many village residents agree with, “The hope is for a fully staffed police force.”
Village of Owego Police Chief Karen Vinti was pleased to see support by village residents who were able to attend the meeting and remains concerned about the level of police staffing. “It is disheartening that it has gone in this direction,” she said.
In an Op-Ed written by Steven May and published in the Owego Pennysaver on Jan. 4, he wrote, “The trustees seek the best police coverage available to the taxpayers and residents of the Village that makes the most financial sense and provides the best protection.” May also voiced in his Op-Ed that rumors made it sound like some village board members were against having an OPD. He responded by writing, “This couldn’t be further from the truth.”
