NYS Park Police Union: There May Not Be Enough Officers To Patrol Beaches This Summer
WANTAGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – The New York State Park Police is sounding an alarm ahead of Memorial Day.
It says there simply aren't enough officers to fully protect the public this summer, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported Thursday.
Soon, millions of sun lovers will return to Long Island's state parks and beaches, but will there be enough police officers to keep them safe? Its union claims the State Park Police is spread dangerously thin.
"There could be 30,000-40,000 people here by noon and we only have three cops that will start the day off on patrol," said Troy Caupain, director of the New York State Park Police Officers' Association.
The PBA warns only "35 State Park Police officers" will kick off the season patrolling all "26 Long Island parks" that draw 19 million summer visitors.
The numbers shocked one beach-going mom at Robert Moses State Park.
"That's really, really surprising. I would hope we would have a lot more than that. We pay a lot of taxes for these beaches," Amy Robinson said.
Others recalled the 2013 rape of a woman jogger in Valley Stream State Park and a Jones Beach brawl.
"I do know that gangs come down at 5 o'clock in the afternoon," beach visitor Joanne Ventrano said.
"If they're asking for help, then they know better than anyone as to whether they need it or not," added visitor Steve Scola.
Arlene Metzler told Gusoff she walks the boardwalk every day.
"I always see visibility of police and I'm comfortable," she said.
The New York State Parks Department spoke Thursday to CBS2, saying "New Yorkers should be confident that their parks are safe and thoroughly policed," adding the department is "steadily increasing park police levels" after a recession training freeze.
The plan is to partner with state and local police for large-scale events and emergencies. In peak summer months the department said it will hire "105 public safety rangers."
"Basically, college kids that come out for a summer job. It's a part-time job. There is no police training," Caupain said.
The PBA is urging the Legislature to nearly double the officer ranks with 120 new officers, most needed on Long Island.
A new recruit class is currently in training, but the nine rookies won't be on patrol until the end of June, Gusoff reported.