Princeton Residents Treated to Early Halloween Greetings From Township Police Union

Many residents of Princeton Borough and Township received early Halloween greetings in the form of a scary letter from the Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local 387, the union representing the police rank and file in Princeton Township. Unlike the usual “trick or treat” request from kids, this letter was intended to trick you into voting against consolidation.

As the former Mayor, Deputy Mayor and current Police Commissioner of Princeton Township, and a member of the Consolidation Study Commission, I intend to put this scare tactic to a well deserved rest.

First, the policeman’s union, PBA Local 387, does not speak for either Princeton Township nor the Princeton Township Police Department.  Like all unions, PBA 387 speaks only for it’s union members. Without depreciating the many good things that the members of PBA Local 387 do as volunteers, especially for the youth of the Princeton community, I believe that we all know that unions exist to protect the jobs, wages and benefits of their members.

The letter claims that Princeton will not have sufficient police presence after consolidation with a force of 51 uniformed police officers. When the police departments were studied by the Consolidation Study Commission, working with the Chiefs and senior police officers in both municipalities, our primary concern was the safety of the lives and property of our residents. For that reason, under the consolidation plan there will be no reduction in police staffing during the first year of consolidation. The plan describes how, over a three period, the force would be reduced to 51 officers, while maintaining the same number of patrol officers on the streets as before consolidation, and re-instating services such a community policing and a traffic division that have been reduced or eliminated as a result of budget constraints in the two municipalities. It is important to note that by the date when consolidation of our police department would be fully realized in 2015, many of our current police officers would have served more than the 20 year requirement for retirement at more than 50% of their six figure salary. Some will have served 25 years and will be eligible to retire at more than 75% of their salary with health benefits paid for life.  

According to the letter, a department of 51 officers would be less than the national standards of 66 for a community of the size of a consolidated Princeton. But it neglects two facts. First, the number of 66 is a national average that is heavily weighted by cities that have large, high density populations. Second, Princeton University has a large Public Safety organization, supervised by police professionals, who provide the first level of policing services for the campus population of about 7000 students, faculty and staff. When the number of Princeton University Public Safety patrol employees is added to the 51 police officers in the consolidated Princeton community, the total far exceeds the national average for a community of our size. Moreover, we are very fortunate that Princeton is not a high crime area. Most of the crimes in the Borough and Township are traffic violations and quality of life crimes, with the occasional more serious crime, and the proposed staffing is more than adequate to handle the anticipated workload.

As Police Commissioner and a Member of Princeton Township Committee for the past nine years I have been a consistent supporter of our Police Department through both good and bad times. I admire the dedication, professionalism and services that the women and men of our department provide to Princeton Township. And, I fully believe, as the scary letter says in closing, “ “The Princeton Township Police Department will continue to serve you to the best of our abilities.”

Don’t fall for scare tactics. Vote for consolidation on November 8th for better government, stronger neighborhoods, savings in municipal spending and improved police services. Vote to UNITE PRINCETON!

Bernie Miller

Princeton Township