The national recession is not only affecting the financial sector of big cities, it is hitting places like Freehold Township where three police officers will be laid off.
Freehold Township officials have announced a plan to eliminate 20 positions this year. Nine of the 20 positions to be eliminated are currently vacant or will be vacated in 2009 through retirements.
Eleven employees who are currently working for the township will be laid off, including three police officers. A press release from the township did not state when the layoffs will become effective.
Freehold Township Police Officer Brian Worth, the president of Police Benevolent Association No. 209, said the association was notified by Township Administrator Thomas E. Antus of pending action involving the “firing of three full-time police officers due to fiscal reasons.”
The local is the bargaining unit representing 70 officers (the police chief, two captains, six lieutenants, seven sergeants, six detectives and 48 police officers).
According to Worth, based on current Uniform Crime Report Studies by the FBI, the number of full-time police officers in Freehold Township should be at least 81.
Worth said municipal officials have “touted” the poor economy, a sluggish return on investments, rising heath costs and reduced aid from the state as factors in their decision to eliminate municipal positions.
“While their official layoff plan has not yet been submitted to the Civil Service Commission, the affected officers were formally notified of the layoff on Feb. 26,” Worth said.
According to Worth, Police Officer Manny DaSilva, 28, Police Officer Scott De Luca, 28, and Police Officer Jarrad Kodran, 33, have all been notified that they will be let go. DaSilva has been with the department for almost three years; De Luca and Kodran have each been with the department for a little more than one year.
“While union officials do not dispute the fact that the poor economy is hurting everyone, members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System are not to blame for the shortfall,” Worth said. “Township officials will object to our use of the word ‘firing.’ The fact is that the word ‘layoff’ implies a return.
“Freehold Township will not only lose officers DaSilva, DeLuca and Kodran. We also fear the proposed ‘firings’ will cause the loss of several special part-time officers, which include two Class II special officers and three seasonal Class I special officers hired to patrol Michael J. Tighe Park,” he said.
Worth said the loss of these positions will mandate that full-time officers fill their duties.
“Adhering to the above listed requirements will bring the total manpower loss to eight,” he said.
In a press release dated Feb. 26, Freehold Township officials announced the submission of a comprehensive layoff plan to the Civil Service Commission to eliminate 20 positions from the township workforce.
According to the press release, the total of 20 positions represents about 8 percent of the township workforce. Since Freehold Township is a civil service municipality, the layoffs affected the employees with the least seniority in their respective departments, as required by law.
The eliminated positions include five positions in the Department of Public Works and Recycling Center, two positions in Parks and Recreation and 10 positions in various office, administrative and technical positions.
The press release states that the layoffs are the “first step in closing a significant gap in 2009 between township revenue and budget appropriations that will accompany significant operating reductions and other program adjustments to curtail the cost of township services. The layoffs include three police officers, which reduces the Freehold Township Police Department from 70 officers to a total contingent of 67.”
Mayor Raymond Kershaw said, “These are very difficult times and it is not easy to make cuts and lay off talented people. We truly hope that these measures will position Freehold Township to provide tax stability for our residents and a stable employment environment for the remaining workforce.”
Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano said, “The 4 percent tax levy cap imposed by the state, combined with declining revenues on several fronts and expected state aid cuts that have been a common thread of the governor’s recent speeches, have forced the township to take the steps and to adjust the way Freehold Township provides services to the residents.”
According to Worth, current nationwide trends indicate a “dramatic increase in crime in categories across the board. And we sincerely hope that the Township Committee and administration can work to find other cost-cutting measures to fill their budget gap. Public safety is not a luxury, it is a necessity, especially in these tough economic times.”
Worth said the PBA is looking forward to working with municipal officials in an attempt to “avert what we believe would be a terrible disservice to the taxpayers of Freehold Township.”
He said the PBA is asking residents to remember who responds when they call for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
An indication that something was going on in the police department came at the Township Committee meeting on Feb. 24 when more than 40 police officers showed up at the meeting. Worth spoke in opposition to the elimination of the three officers’ positions at that meeting.
Two days later township officials issued the press release stating that 20 positions are being eliminated.

