The head of the State Police said he has disbanded the agency’s decades-old drug diversion unit and auto theft strike force to deal with current realities: a shortage of troopers, a budget shortfall, and increased responsibilities.
Colonel Timothy P. Alben said the dissolution of the two squads at the end of December allowed him to shift 25 troopers to the Massachusetts Turnpike and Logan International Airport, both areas where police vacancies have gone unfilled and more forces were needed. He said it will also help him reduce a $3 million deficit in this year’s State Police budget because their salaries will come from the highway and airport budgets.
Comments
Now the state police can send more thugs to harass people picking up or dropping off travelers at Logan.
Thugs? Had a bad experience with State Troopers did you? Or are you one of those types I constantly see who think everything is up for discussion when directed to do something by a law enforcement officer?
Example: Road closed for repairs. Car after car stops and argues with the officer about whether they should be able to ignore the detour sign. I am surprised that an officer or two in this state has not gone "postal" and just shot a few stupids on a sweltering hot summer afternoon.
Thugs. What a despicable thing to call a law enforcement officer, bet you wouldn't call them that if you needed one?
Wow! What a great idea, I would much rather have Troopers out there writing traffic tickets instead of running down drug dealers.
How many people have lost their lives at the airport?
He's working under the confines of his budget and moving troopers off of his books onto the Dept of Transportation's budget. The budget comes from the state. Do you think there are other state agencies, staffed by political cronies, that we might be able to do without?
It all comes down to priorities. In my mind, public safety is something the public doesn't mind paying taxes for. Our elected officials need get rid of do-nothing agencies and allocate that money to those areas, like public safety, that are top priorities. We need more "Albens" making tough financial decisions at the state level.
PValen: Just the ones that got on the wrong airplanes on 9-11. They also keep an eye on other nasty things that happen at airports, like theft, muggings and all the other wonderful things human beings like to do unwary travelers. But I guess the only thing you are worried about is the murders.
As Alben said, they're at the mercy of the economy. While illegal prescription drug activity is a big problem, losing an 8 trooper special unit isn't going to exacerbate the problem. As he said, the State Police narcotics units assigned to district attorneys will still be working on it. When budgets are reduced tough choices have to be made. In our society we don't want to cut services, we just don't want to have to pay for them.
As far security for casinos, with the money that casinos bring in I think the state can figure out a way to fund additional state troopers. What other private businesses get free state trooper protection? Banks have a lot of cash too but I don't see troopers patrolling them.
Here's an idea....instead of the State Police being tasked with policing the eventual casinos, give the job to the local PD's. This is where the responsibility should be, not with the power hungry State Police. Cities with casinsos can demand that the operation pay the local community for police services as part of their agreement to allow the facility.
BAD idea. SOME of our local PD's do not have a stellar reputation. The temptations might be a little much. At least with the State Troopers, there will be only one organization accountable.