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Board raises concerns about police coverage for events, tax-collection security in Grand Island
Summary
At the Town Board workshop members discussed inconsistent officer coverage for town events, the at-will status of officers, use of retired officers, and steps to protect tax collections and deter crime through visible officer presence.
Grand Island Town Board members spent part of their workshop discussing town police coverage for events, tax-collection safety and the tradeoffs of relying on at-will officers and automated systems.
Board members said the town has been in communication with Officer Franz, the officer in charge, and that Franz “believes he’ll have the coverage,” a board member relayed. Board members expressed concern that at-will status for some officers makes it difficult for the town to secure firm commitments for coverage; “He doesn't wanna promise it,” one board member said, referring to Franz’s reluctance to guarantee staffing.
Members discussed policy options to improve coverage at predictable high-demand times, such as July 4 and the “Light Up the Bull Ride” event, and suggested requiring officers to work specific event shifts or recruiting retired officers who are less likely to be called to overtime elsewhere. One board member said retired officers may be available, noting some “older guys that are retired that don't necessarily have that obligation.”
The board also discussed the deterrent value of visible officer presence versus automated security measures. A board member said, “Officer presence is the number 1 deterrent,” and another noted that having a patrol car visible at the town building can make a large difference.
Board members emphasized that protecting tax collections is a top priority. The presiding official said ensuring tax collections “gets safely to the bank” should be the primary operational focus.
No formal policy change or vote was taken during the workshop; the board directed staff to continue discussions with the police leadership about coverage options and to consider potential staffing requirements or alternative staffing arrangements for high-priority events.
