The Beat Cop Returns to Ridgewood

As part of his community policing initiative, Chief John Ward this summer is bringing a relic of the past back to the Ridgewood business district – the beat cop.

With an increased volume of pedestrians in the downtown and a community wary of pedestrian-involved accidents, the chief plans to have one officer on foot patrol during the busiest afternoons and nights over the summer.

"There's been a l to have a presence in the CBD," said Ward. "This is our attempt to address the council's concern."

Though a vehicle is stationed in the Central Business District, officers are often pulled away on other calls, Ward said, leaving a limited ability to patrol the central corridor. Without the CBD post, there are as many as six officers and two supervisors working, though with days off and illnesses, that number often drops to four on patrol with one supervisor.

The initiative, which began a few weeks ago, features one officer on foot for four-hour shifts from late afternoon thru evening on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

"The walking post officer has multiple roles," Ward remarked, stating a major goal was to have a preventative impact on accidents. "The officer will assist with pedestrians crossing the street, in community policing efforts, traffic patrols and [with] a particular focus on pedestrian safety education." 

About 20 years ago, the beat cop was a common sight in the Ridgewood, with three men patrolling various sections of town on foot. As staffing levels have declined from more than 50 officers to 42, the posts were phased out.

With a proposed budget cutting overtime by $40,000 (to $170,000), Ward is drawing from a different pot to fund the beat cop, though he admits it all ultimately draws from the same source – taxpayers.

"Time back goes into a bank of hours set at a certain level," he explained. "If one guy is too high, they won't be eligible. We'll be closely monitoring comp time to make sure it's not too high."

But the summertime initiative has caught council members off guard.

"This is the first I'm hearing about this," Councilman Paul Aronsohn said Monday. "Unless there is a compelling reason, we should not be allowing additional overtime or compensatory time in any Village department. We just can't afford it."

Similar sentiments were expressed by Deputy Mayor Tom Riche, who last year pushed the chief to step up presence in the downtown.

"This is the first I'm hearing of it," he said. Prefacing that because he hasn't heard the details he couldn't speak with authority on the matter, Riche expressed concern with the finances.

"If it's going to be comp time and it's going to be deferred, is this bypassing the current budget?" he asked Tuesday. "I would be concerned about that. We already have about $7 million in accumulated leave time [throught the village]. I wouldn't want to add to that pile."

About $200,000 is budgeted for anticipated payouts on some of that time, Riche said. Should the plan push the department's budget into the red, Riche said he believes the council might have to approve it.

Those taking compensation time are paid at time-and-a-half of their hourly rate, but they can also choose to "bank" the hours and carry it throughout their careers. 

A patrolman, for instance, who chooses to carry the comp time until he retires as a lieutenant, would be paid out at his rate as a lieutenant.

Court rulings limit annual compensation times to 480 hours.

Because of the switch several years ago to 12-hour shifts, the officers work fewer days but are eligible for more comp time, Ward said. 

"They can use it as long as it doesn't incur overtime," Ward said. "I told the council I think I can reduce overtime and I'll do my best. I understand these are tough economic times and I'm setting out to accomplish the goals."

The chief said he also expects to be utilizing the bicycle patrol in greater numbers as the summer heats up.

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