From the Desk of Owego Police Chief Joseph Kennedy

On Aug. 27, 2018, the Owego Police Department purchased a Police vehicle. This vehicle was purchased at a cost of $25,445.34, with money that did not come from taxpayer dollars.   

A vehicle that was in our fleet of four patrol cars was totaled when an intoxicated subject on a snowmobile hit it. This new vehicle was covered 100 percent by insurance, with a surplus of $160.06.  

We also took a big step forward protecting our most valuable assets, our children. The school board has passed a resolution to hire a School Resource Officer.  

This Officer will be under the supervision of the Police Department but will be fully funded by the Owego Apalachian Central School District. The Police Department also increased the pay rate for one of the part time officers from $18.00 an hour to $22.50 per hour. 

An Officer that already works for the Department with a K-9 was also reinstated on a part time basis at the same rate that he has been making at $25.00 an hour. This Officer does not cost the Village any more money due to the fact that he will be filling in when other officers are away.  

The Police Department also has a reserve fund that is set-aside for the sole purpose of purchasing Police vehicles and to equip those vehicles. I have asked for a second vehicle to be purchased from that already funded account to keep our fleet up and running so that we can continue to serve the village residents in a safe and timely manner. 

There are some safety issues at the Police station that need to be corrected so that we can continue to serve you from this historic location, and we have started looking into possible solutions. My door is always open for questions and concerns.