CLAY, N.Y. -- Clay voters have said yes to dissolving their police department. More than 6,000 people voted and 4,160 voted yes while 1,865 voted no.
This means the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office will absorb the 16 fulltime officers with the Clay Police Department and take over patrolling the town.
Clay's Town Supervisor has said the merger will save tax payers millions of dollars, including $1.3 million in the next 18 months alone,
Clay voters said yes to dissolving their police department. With more than 6,000 ballots casts, 69 percent voted in favor of merging with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office. Our Nneka Nwosu joins us now from Clay Town Hall with more on the vote.
but those against the plan argue it will decrease the amount of patrols by 15 to 20 percent. The Sheriff's Office promises to maintain the same level of protection and have deputies on patrol in the town 24 hours a day.
The current Clay police officers will train to become Sheriff's Deputies and about a dozen part time positions will be eliminated. The merger will not affect taxpayers in other towns in the county.