Their Plan to layoff 8 officers by March 15th, combined with looming retirements, would shrink manpower to approximately 95 officers, its lowest level since 1980s, This represents a 20% reduction since 2009.
For the average tax payer around-the-clock police service is 10ยข/hour. This amounts to $2.40 a day.
Through the West Orange Police Department's dedication and professionalism, they have reduced overall crime in West Orange by 16% since 2009.
Since police layoffs in Essex county began, West Orange has seen a rise in violent crime. This includes shootings, stabbings, armed robberies, and carjackings. The police force is seeing an increased presence of violent gang members in West Orange. Since 2009, 38 of our township police officers have been victims of aggravated assault while performing their duties.
West Orange PBA Local #25 have made significant concessions and continue to offer more. They have proposed savings in excess of 2 million dollars to the township for this budgetary year, however these proposals seem to have fallen on deaf ears.