Political static jeopardizes new police radios

Political static jeopardizes new police radios

BY MONTE R. YOUNG
STAFF WRITER

March 10, 2005

For 10 years, Nassau police have complained that their radios are useless and that they have to use their own cell phones in emergencies.

Yesterday, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi picked Motorola Inc. for a $40-million, 8,000-radio upgrade.

Shortly after the news conference, however, the effort fell hostage to election-year bickering between Suozzi and his Republican opponents in the Nassau County Legislature.

For months, Suozzi's fellow Democrats, who control the legislature 10-9, have failed to obtain four Republican votes to adopt a proposed $90-million capital budget for roadwork, building repairs, park improvements and new equipment such as the police radios.

So in an attempt to break the logjam, Suozzi yesterday declined to offer the legislature a separate bill for funding the radios. Instead, he has linked it to other stalled county projects by keeping it in the capital budget. As a result, the radios could be in jeopardy if the legislature does not approve the entire capital plan by May 31 when Suozzi completes the contract with Motorola.

"The legislature has to approve it or it will crash one day and be a tremendous detriment to the county," Nassau PBA President Gary DelaRaba said.

Suozzi officials responded that they are not using the radio issue to force Republicans to pass the capital plan.

"The radio system, like many other pending projects, is much too important to play politics with," said Chief Deputy County Executive Anthony Cancellieri.

Edward Ward, a spokesman for the Republican minority, said Suozzi has not spent some $60 million from last year's capital plan. He said lawmakers approved $5 million last year to get the administration started on replacing the radios, but Suozzi hasn't spent the money.

"He runs capital improvements as a money-driven plan, rather than a project-driven plan. Let's do it project by project. Send down the request for the radios," Ward said, adding, "Let's go, Tom."

Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs of Woodbury said the proposed capital plan will be back on the agenda March 21.

"Republicans want to cherry-pick the projects," Jacobs said. "It is extremely irresponsible to hold up a capital plan that includes police radios that are so necessary."

Posted Monday, April 11, 2005

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