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Police chief and residents warn cuts would reduce patrols to 2018 levels
Summary
East Hampton Police Chief Dennis Woessner and residents told the Board that eliminating additional police positions would reduce patrols from 18 to 15 officers (returning to 2018 levels) and place strains on staffing and safety, urging reconsideration of cuts.
Chief Dennis Woessner, representing the East Hampton Police Department, defended the department's budget and warned the Board that cutting unfilled positions on top of prior reductions would reduce patrol strength from 18 to 15 officers, "bringing it back to 2018 levels." He said that staffing shortfalls force multiple 16-hour shifts and cited Old Home Days as an example that requires significant temporary staffing (22 positions during the 3-day event and nine on parade day).
Woessner told the Board that reductions would be "devastating to the community" and cautioned that shrinking the department would impact the ability to hire and retain quality candidates. Linda Johnson, a resident, urged the Board not to cut another police officer role, saying officers sometimes have only eight hours between shifts, producing minimal sleep and poor quality of life.
