Seymour could lose its community police officer because of staffing shortages at the department.
But Seymour Police Commissioners said they would try to find a way to save the program, after several residents packed their meeting Thursday and spoke of the impact the department’s community police officer has had on their lives.
Officer Sergio Desiderato, Seymour’s community police officer, also spoke in his own defense Thursday.
“I feel it is a disservice to the community to suspend the program,” Desiderato told the Board of Police Commissioners.
“You can’t put a dollar value on such a valuable program,” he said.
Click play on the video at top, provided by citizen Frank Loda, to see the entire meeting.
The community police officer works with the Seymour Housing Authority, oversees community block watch programs in town, and runs community programs such as the Trick or Trunk event and the Citizens Academy.
Chief Michael Metzler told the commission Thursday that the department was down seven officers: Two are empty positions, and five are due to officers out on disability.
“I support the (community policing) program 100 percent,” Metzler said.
But, Metzler said, the department is spending $8,000 to $11,000 a week on overtime to fill in for about 30 shifts due to the absences.
“We need bodies,” Metzler said.
David Keyser, the director of the Seymour Housing Authorty, First Selectman Paul Roy and several residents in Seymour spoke in favor of keeping the program.
Residents spoke of how Desiderato helped calm ATV use in their neighborhood, and helped protect residents in the housing authority units.
“I think it would be a very bad mistake,” Roy said of the possible suspension of the program.
“These folks need this position in this town,” Roy said. “They deserve it.”
Several police commissioners said they would try to find the money to keep the program alive.
Lucy McConologue told residents the board hadn’t made a final decision, it was only discussing the possibility of cutting the program.
“I think all of us are really concerned about continuing this program,” McConologue said. “We’re talking about how we can do this, and fit it into our financial obligations.”
Police Lt. Paul Satkowski and Officer Sergio Desiderato were unable to be reached for comment Friday.
