In a recent city council meeting, the appointment of George White as a full-time police dispatcher was unanimously recommended. White, a lifelong resident of Stormville, graduated from the University of New Haven with a degree in criminal justice and has prior experience through an internship with the Putnam County Sheriff's office. His background check was cleared, and he comes highly recommended by interviewers.

The council also discussed a memorandum of agreement with the Patrolmen Benevolent Association, addressing a pressing staffing crisis within the police department. Currently, the department is seven officers short of its normal staffing level, a situation exacerbated by competitive pay disparities with neighboring departments. The city of Poughkeepsie, for instance, offers salaries that are significantly higher, making it challenging for Beacon to attract and retain qualified candidates.

The police chief highlighted that hiring has become increasingly difficult, with a drastic drop in the number of applicants for police officer positions—down from over 1,000 to fewer than 400 in recent years. This decline, coupled with the loss of experienced officers to better-paying jobs, has led to a reliance on overtime, with the department currently obligated to 80 hours of overtime weekly just to meet minimum staffing requirements.

The council is considering a wage adjustment to improve competitiveness and retain existing officers, as many have left for higher-paying positions in nearby departments. The chief emphasized the importance of addressing these issues promptly to prevent further attrition and ensure the department can maintain its operational effectiveness. The discussions signal a critical juncture for the Beacon police department as it seeks to navigate staffing challenges and enhance its appeal to potential recruits.