Expensive security force in Oyster Bay

Regarding "High cost of safety" [News, March 22], just out of curiosity I looked up the organizational chart for the New York Police Department. Making no comment on actual responsibilities associated with certain job titles, from a strictly numbers point of view, here's what I found.

The NYPD, with a force of approximately 35,000, plus civilian support staff of unknown quantity, has a commissioner, one first deputy commissioner and 14 deputy commissioners. In other words, roughly one supervisor for every 2,100 people on the force.

According to your article, the Town of Oyster Bay's Public Safety Department has a commissioner, a supervisor of constables and waterways, and two deputy commissioners for a staff of 104. That's one supervisor for every 26 employees.

The article reports that Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto said one job of the safety department is to respond to emergencies, for example, spotting downed trees or road damage and getting public works crews to the scene. There have been many storms over the years, and I have never even seen a public safety vehicle in my neighborhood, before, during or after a storm.

Alan H. Kimbarow

Syosset
 

I've had it. We are in an economic meltdown and millions of dollars of taxpayers' money is being spent unnecessarily. Public safety salaries at $100,000-plus?

There are families working harder than ever or unemployed -- I bet they'd work for less than half that amount -- and are trying desperately to meet obligations and support their families while these guys line their pockets. It's very clear cut to me, this is simply not right. When is the insanity going to stop?

Eileen Rynne

Huntington