Chief’s report details woefully inadequate station quarters

EAST HAMPTON » Several speakers were on the agenda for the informational meeting Tuesday about the proposed new town hall/police station.

But, it turned out for supporters of the project, only one speaker was really needed: Police Chief Sean D. Cox.

His department is most in need of a new facility to replace the 2,400-square-foot space the department now occupies in the basement of Town Hall, he said.

Based on the response, Cox made a persuasive presentation arguing his case.

His performance was well-received by many among the more than 80 residents who had gathered in the T-Bell Room at the high school to hear details of the $18.98 million proposal. Cox never strayed far from his central the-

sis: the inadequate facility police are now forced to use means the department cannot provide the basic services residents can and should expect from their police. Those services are: “To provide a safe and secure environment for all members of our community, including those that are passing through. Anyone can be a victim of a crime 24/7, 365 days a year.

“To provide continuous effective and efficient criminal investigations, all while facilitating proactive policing efforts.

“To provide sufficient staffing levels to facilitate proper policing in compliance with current legislation and best practices.”

And yet, in all three instances, “with the current facility and staff levels,” the department is “unable to provide those services to our community,” Cox said.

He presented a selection of details in which “the current facility is detrimental to operations.”

Given the cramped facility, officers are forced to park their private vehicles and then change into (and out of) their uniforms in a satellite facility that is nearly two miles away from headquarters, Cox said.

“Approximately 550 man hours a year are spent transiting patrol vehicles and equipment” from the offsite facility, the chief said.

He listed deficiencies in rapid-fire order:

“Statutorily non-compliant detention facilities.”

“No sally port, which increases risk to officer safety.”

“Lack of a secure on-site impound lot and large evidence storage,” which can and does compromise cases once they reach court.

“Drastically undersized secure areas for storage (of weapons) and records.”

“No safe area for evidence processing — including opioids laced with fentanyl.”

“Inappropriate area for decontamination of chemicals, blood and other bodily fluids that are brought into the department before officers can be decontaminated.”

The Town Hall and the police department are served by a well that is contaminated, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco said in his introduction.

But it’s not just that officers can’t drink the water, Cox said. “We respond to 500 medical calls a year,” he said, calls that often involve people who are bleeding or who throw up on themselves and/or officers.”

In some instances, those calls that involve “handling body parts,” Cox said. The situation is so dire the officers do not even wash their cruisers at headquarters because the contaminated water leaves a white film on the cars, Cox said.

The department is not open 24 hours a day, the chief said.

Consequently, people who arrive after-hours — including crime victims and grieving family members — “are met by an unheated, poorly lit, 27-square-foot vestibule ... that is barely large enough to accommodate two adults,” Cox said.

What’s more, “it is almost impossible for handicapped individuals to gain access inside,” Cox said.

The substandard facility affects efforts to attract new officers, Cox said.

The department hoped to fill its newest officer position by attracting a certified officer who would transfer in from another department, Cox said. However, it “received zero certified officer applications during the three-month window” for submitting applications, he said.

The national average for the ratio of police officers to residents is 2.4 officers per 1,000 residents, Cox said. But in East Hampton, the ratio is 1.15 officers to 1,000 residents, the chief said.

A new facility could give the department — and the community — “a safe and secure environment accessible to all 24/7;” one that is “ADA-compliant,” Cox said.

It would also improve recruitment efforts, allowing diversity that would better serve the community, the chief said.

At present, because it lacks a women’s bathroom, the department cannot recruit females, Cox said.

In 2006, Cox’s predecessor, Chief Matthew A. Reimondo said the “inadequate building and the feeling of being overwhelmed” is part of a larger challenge that affected both the public and the police.

That comment prompted Cox to ask, “If not now ... then when?” would the town replace the police building.

Cox closed the presentation — which was prepared with the cooperation of Officer Hardie Burgin — by passing on a thought from one of his officers. “Progress should not be measured in dog years,” Cox said — as his PowerPoint presentation showed a picture Officer Ringer, the department’s canine.

The Town Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday to act on the proposal for the new facility and set a date for a town meeting.

FILE PHOTO East Hampton Town Hall