Two years after the rare merger of a
significant local police force into a county sheriff's department, Cicero may soon follow Clay down that road, according to a
report in the Post Standard of Syracuse.
The 11-member Cicero Police Study Committee
has held one public session on the idea, and plans two more in the near future.
They plan to put forward a proposal this summer, the Town Board could act at its
August 25 session, and the question could appear on the general election ballot
in November, according to the paper.
Taxpayers in Clay saw a reported 20 percent
drop in town taxes after the local force there was incorporated into the county
sheriff's department, and supporters in Cicero hope to see that happen in their town as well. The
local police force for the 30,000 residents of Cicero will cost taxpayers $1.2 million this year for the
14 full-time and eight part-time officers employed. So far, Clay is the only town
in Onondaga to propose and enact local police consolidation with the county.
