MONTICELLO — Monticello is considering the creation of a new police district that would encompass the village and extend into the Town of Thompson. 

“It’s something we’re exploring and have explored in the past,” said Village Mayor George Nikolados.

The police district could include all of Monticello and the Route 42 business district in Thompson, as well as Resorts World Catskills Casino and the Kartrite Indoor Water Park.   

“It’s something we need to research to see how possible or plausible it is. It isn’t anything that’s imminent,” Nikolados explained. “We’re looking at different options to keep our village safe and have the requisite resources that we need.”

The Sullivan County Patrolman’s Benevolent Association (PBA), the union representing the Sullivan County Sheriff’s road patrol, is opposed to such a plan. 

“While the PBA applauds Mayor Nikolados’ and the village board’s attempts to raise revenue for the village and its police department, it seems a bit disingenuous to create more government and the increased taxes that come with it, especially when most governments, including the State of New York, are seeking to consolidate services and government,” said PBA President Jack Harb. 

Nikolados said that the Monticello Police Department (MPD) already responds to calls outside village limits. He said a police district would collect taxes from within its jurisdiction, including from businesses like Walmart and the casino. 

“We do offer resources in that district,” Nikolados said. 

Harb says the village doesn’t handle calls for service outside village limits and are not required to. Although, for the safety of their fellow law enforcement officials, MPD does sometimes respond outside the village to provide backup for the Sheriff’s Office and State Police.

“In fact, in many cases MPD is statutorily prohibited from handling calls for service outside of the village … If MPD officers are leaving the village to handle calls it is because they choose to do so [and] not because they are required to,” Harb said. 

The PBA added that MPD has recently lost several police officers to surrounding police departments and “is now operating with minimal staff.” 

Harb said MPD has discontinued its school resource officer (SRO) program at the Monticello Central School District and a SRO is now provided by the Sheriff’s Office. 

He added that there’s been a “substantial increase” in calls for service within the village which the Sheriff’s Office and State Police respond to. 

“I ask, how can MPD cover a newly created and larger police district if they cannot handle what they currently have?” says Harb. 

Nikolados said the village recently inducted three new police officers, although two are still attending the police academy. 

“To be honest, it’s a long shot,” Nikolados said about the police district, explaining that creating one would require state legislation. 

“We have to look at every avenue to see what we can do to keep our community safe,” Nikolados said.  

“The bottom line is that the Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police already provide police services in and around the village of Monticello,” Harb said. “Mayor Nikolados’ plan is just an attempt to acquire more funding for the village at the expense of taxpayers who live, work and shop in Sullivan County. There are far better ways to fund the Monticello Police Department than what Mayor Nikolados is proposing.”