Cappelli said lawsuits against police misconduct were not a “specific factor” for the consolidation.
“Certainly when you look at those lawsuits, one can ascertain that perhaps there was a lack of training and experience necessary to run the police department in Woodlynne,” he said.
Until Thursday’s announcement, the Camden County Police Department had largely confined itself to the City of Camden after police chiefs across the county wanted nothing to do with a regional force.
The county prosecutor’s office said it supports merging of the police departments.
The prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the consolidation “will at long last afford the residents of Woodlynne comprehensive public safety and community outreach.”
“Formed on a foundation of mutual trust and respect, these new relationships will serve as an impetus for positive change in Woodlynne. This consolidation will enable Woodlynne to prosper as a community,” the office wrote.
The Woodlynne Borough Council and the Camden County Board of Commissioners are expected to formalize the agreement before the end of August. County Police Chief Gabe Rodriguez said that starting Sept. 1, the department will provide supplemental patrols in Woodlynne.
There are still details to be worked out, including how much borough residents will pay the county for police services.
County and borough officials are scheduling community meetings to get residents’ input about the merger. Some community members are anxious that they haven’t been part of the discussions already.
“It could be a good or bad thing for Woodlynne, so we’re just gonna have to wait and see,” said Susan, a resident who declined to give her last name. “You have to know what somebody’s presenting to you before you can have concerns…you heard them say they’re still collecting information.”
Childs, a 30-year borough resident, said it was a good move for the county to provide police services, but she wants residents to be part of the conversation.
“They should have presented it to the community first,” Childs said. “I hope my damn taxes don’t go up.”
Post a Comment