“Quality Service Without the Ridiculous Price-Tag”

In my 38 years of service to Bergen County, I have always taken steps to provide the highest quality of service at the absolute minimum cost to the taxpayer. As Chief of Police, I have been successful in bringing my department’s current operating budget down to 2004 levels. Overtime has been significantly reduced without additional personnel. The Emerson Community Policing programs that I have spearheaded are stronger than ever. Volunteer programs, such as our annual Senior Citizens’ Dinner and our annual Police Open House for the entire community, are all run without costing the taxpayer one penny.

Years of waste and out of control spending have crippled the Great State of New Jersey – Bergen County has felt that burden. One need only look around our towns and see small businesses closing every day. I am sure you see the effects in your own neighborhoods. I know when I look around my neighborhood I see “For Sale” signs on every street. Our residents are fleeing Bergen County because we can’t afford to pay our astronomical property taxes anymore – they have become too excessive. For far too long there has been no accountability for the Sheriff’s Department budget – I promise you that time is over. When you elect me as your next Bergen County Sheriff I will waste no time getting the budget back on track and representing you, the taxpayer!

“De-Politicize the Sheriff’s Department”

Under the current Administration the role of the Sheriff has become more about politics and less about protecting and serving our county. Unnecessary events, appearances and outlandish “training” trips serve no purpose and drain money away from the taxpayers and increase wasteful spending. I was elected President of the Bergen County Chiefs Association because I know how to manage our county’s law enforcement personnel in a professional and effective manner – it is time to get back to work.

“Eliminate the Unnecessary and Costly Duplication of Services”

Bergen County cannot afford the unnecessary duplication of services taking place in our county. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Department must allow the local departments to handle the issues that they are trained to handle. Furthermore, the Administration must be mindful of the job core functions of the Sheriff’s Department -maintaining security at the Bergen County Justice center, providing for the care and custody of inmates in the County jail and assisting local police forces when necessary. Our local departments must be given the support to handle issues without unnecessary interference from the Sheriff’s Department. In these tough economic times the Sheriff’s Department must be conscientious concerning its own responsibilities unless specifically called upon for assistance.

“My Commitment to Bergen County”

As your Sheriff, I will get the Sheriff’s Department budget under control. I promise that our taxpayers will be afforded unprecedented transparency into the spending and workings of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department. I will be held accountable to you and will demand that I and every member of the Sheriff’s Department conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates that we are there to serve you and our great county. Let’s get the job done – the right way.