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Across Dunkirk and Fredonia - the north county's two largest municipalities -- there are a total of five law-enforcement agencies that can oversee the city and village. Besides their own departments, University Police, New York State Police and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department are always nearby.
This for a total of 22,000 residents, that includes a State University campus.
With financial troubles evident in the two governments, something has to give. Population continues to decrease while costs keep going up.
On the positive side, both municipal departments have recently hired excellent chiefs to lead -- Gregory Myers in Fredonia and Doug Switzer in Dunkirk. Combined, both departments have nearly 50 full-time officers.
Consolidation needs to be a serious discussion if expenses are going to decrease. Those who participated in the recent poll at observertoday.com agree.
Over the last seven days, 70% of the respondents believe it is time to merge the Dunkirk and Fredonia police departments. Thirty percent were opposed to the idea.
This week's poll question: Who do you favor in the race for New York state governor?