The Cazenovia Police Department has been busy lately. Improvements have been made to the office space at 90 Albany St., the officers and their equipment. Many of the enhancements the department underwent have greatly increased productivity, personnel knowledge and station equipment; all while keeping costs to a minimum.
“In today’s day and age, we have to make sure we are being fiscally responsible,” said Chief of Police Michael A. Hayes. “We understand that we spend taxpayers’ money; so everyday we examine the costs that we can control.”
Five officers and two station operators of the Cazenovia Police Department recently attended a four-day radar speed enforcement training program, put on for free at the Mohawk Valley Police Academy. Upon the completion of the session and a written test, each faculty member is certified in the use of radar technology.
Having sent a number of his staff to the training program, Chief Hayes worked double-shifts during the week of April 13 without overtime compensation in an attempt to keep costs down. Hayes covered the shifts himself; rather than paying officers for overtime, or part-time employees to fill in.
Savings generated by the shift coverage allowed for improvements to be made to the Cazenovia Police Department’s office, in the back of the Municipal Building at 90 Albany St. The space was recently given a fresh coat of paint, new flooring was installed and a new desk was built and moved into Hayes’s office. All of the aesthetic improvements were completed by workers from the Madison County Department of Social Services, free of charge. The materials, which amounted to $1,500, were bought locally in the Village of Cazenovia paid for with department funds.
“The savings we were able to create were used to remodel the office, which makes for a more professional and productive work environment,” Hayes said.
The Cazenovia Police Department also recently acquired a 2011 Impala, purchased for a discounted price of $20,000. The vehicle was outfitted with repurposed equipment from the department’s 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, saving the department over $1,000. The Crown Victoria, which accumulated 133,000 miles of service, will soon be put to auction.
A grant through BRiDGES allowed officers to conduct three village-wide premise checks. All restaurants are taverns were examined by police. During the sweeps, no patrons under 21 were found in possession of alcohol. After each business was checked, they were given pamphlets with images of each state’s official identification card and education on how to spot a fake ID.
“We try to have education and enforcement. You can’t have too much of one,” Chief Hayes said. “Educate parents, educate businesses and educate kids as to what is expected. If the education doesn’t work, then enforcement is implemented.”
Chief Hayes recently began a grant-application process to receive funding for a department garage. Currently, police vehicles are stored next to the Municipal Building or in the vicinity, but are otherwise unprotected by the elements. Hayes outlined a tentative plan to add on to the backside of the Village Department of Public Works garage, located off of Williams Street.
On May 12, the Cazenovia Police Department will be conducting a DWI mock-crash on the green of the high school. This exercise takes places every few years and aims to educate school-aged drivers of the dangers of distracted and drunk driving.
Hayes was inducted as the Chief of Police on Sept. 8 this past year and oversees a staff of 19. To learn more about the Cazenovia Police Department, visit their website at cazpolice.com, call 655-3276, or email [email protected].
