State Department of Community Affairs will assess Hightstown’s Uniform Crime Report statistics, police manpower and other departmental data.
By: Michael Ross
HIGHTSTOWN The Hights- town Police Department is undergoing an operational review to determine the department’s general efficiency.
The state Department of Community Affairs is performing the review, which began Oct. 6, and is assessing borough Uniform Crime Report statistics, police manpower and other departmental data. The DCA also will assess the viability of extending East Windsor police services to the borough and is expected to release a final report in mid-November.
Earlier this month, New Jersey State Police released the 2003 Uniform Crime Report a compilation of crime statistics that cited borough crime up 22 percent while the number of borough police officers fell from 15 to 14.
Following the September resignation of another officer, Police Chief James M. Eufemia went before Mayor Bob Patten and Borough Council on Oct. 4 to discuss departmental staffing. He said although he would like to fill one officer position as soon as possible, January would be the earliest he could complete interviews and background checks.
Considering the DCA findings will be available next month, Mayor Patten and Borough Council agreed to postpone any departmental hiring decisions until the review is evaluated.
"We can hold our own," Chief Eufemia said during the meeting, adding his department can handle the increased workload until the DCA report is released. "My gut instinct they’ll say we’re slightly understaffed."
In an Oct. 14 interview, the chief said the officer shortage has not affected police performance and that the crime increase is attributed to a rise in criminal reporting.
"You always want to be full-staffed," Chief Eufemia said during the interview. "I still think we’re doing an excellent job overall."
Borough Clerk/Administrator Candace Gallagher said the DCA review request was made in May by Borough Council after local officials learned the assessment is available free of charge to the borough.
Ms. Gallagher said a similar study was conducted roughly two years ago by the Local Budget Government Review, a division of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. However, the division ceased operations in January 2002 before the study was released to the borough.
Ms. Gallagher said the DCA review is expected to take six weeks and should be completed in mid-November.