Suffolk County plans to slash its police budget by $20 million if it doesn’t receive more federal funding.
County Executive Steve Bellone said that means next year’s police class is canceled, and community policing programs are suspended.
“My message to Washington is simple: Don't defund the police. Don't defund suburbia by your inaction," Belone pleaded for President Donald Trump to listen. "Mr. President, we need your help.”
School Resource Officers would also be re-deployed, according to Bellone. He plans to freeze promotions for police, and cut aid to some independent police departments in eastern Long Island.
Suffolk County faces an $800 million budget gap this year. Bellone attributed the shortfall to the coronavirus pandemic and related economic crisis.
