Forty Fort Residents Turn Out in Force to Save The Police Force

The following is a transcript of Patrick Frank`s 11 P.M Story. THE MOVE WOULDN`T HAPPEN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. BUT THAT DIDN`T STOP A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM SHOWING UP TONIGHT TO SUPPORT THE POLICE FORCE OF 5 FULL-TIME AND 4 PART-TIME OFFICERS. NOT LONG AFTER SHE HEARD ABOUT THE DECISION, PATTY WINTON STARTED PASSING AROUND A PETITION. SHE DOESN`T WANT TO LOSE THE FORTY FORT POLICE DEPARTMENT AND RELY SOLELY ON STATE POLICE. Winston Tells us... "I have all the respect in the world for the state police, but there`s not enough of them to cover a town like this. They`re going to go down Wyoming Avenue and they`re not going to go in and see what`s going on on each of the streets." TWO WEEKS AGO, COUNCIL VOTED TO START TAKING STEPS TO DISBAND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT WOULD HAPPEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN THEIR CONTRACT RUNS OUT. ABOUT A HUNDRED PEOPLE CRAMMED INTO THE BOROUGH BUILDING FOR THIS PUBLIC MEETING, BUT THEY WEREN`T GETTING EXPLANATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL. COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANDY TUZINSKI SAYS "We`ve been advised by our solicitor that it`s in the best interests of everyone involved that we do not speak to those issues at this time." THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT AGREED TO MEET WITH A POLICE UNION REPRESENTATIVE TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND FIND OUT IF ANYTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE. CHIEF ERIC MONGANTINI SAYS "I`ve been a police officer for 22 years. I`ve been honored to serve the people of Forty Fort. We give our heart and soul to this town." THE BOROUGH WOULD SAVE 300-THOUSAND DOLLARS BY GETTING RID OF ITS POLICE. BUT THESE PEOPLE DON`T CARE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ISSUES. ANDREA VANTUYLE OF FORTY FORT SAYS... "We`ve lived in Forty Fort for 20 years. A lot of people have lived here a lot longer. The elderly are worried, the young people with small children are now worried. It`s just worry from everyone." FORTY FORT IS ALSO LOOKING INTO CONSOLIDATING ITS FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH KINGSTON. THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT SAYS IT`S ANOTHER EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THE BOROUGH IS FINANCIALLY STABLE.