The police district commissioners were correct in voting at the May 24 meeting to use some of the remaining 1997 asset forfeiture (drug bust) money to purchase three- to ten-year depreciable equipment of a vehicular and investigative nature.

The noises heard at the meeting regarding possible use of the remaining one million dollars of confiscated money for use in building a new Taj-Mahal Xanadu police headquarters should ring a warning bell in the ears of Port Washington Police District taxpayers.

The next commissioner election is on Dec. 12. Beware of anyone running for commissioner who wants to build a new police headquarters.

The number of people occupying the building today is no different than it was 20 years ago, and the number of sworn officers has fluctuated up and down between 58 and 64 over the past 20 years. Patrol officers do not occupy space in the building other than lockers.

From time to time, there is a tendency to accumulate excess archival records (junk) which can be remedied by off-premises, electronic or microfiche storage, or plain old housecleaning.

The taxpayers need a new $10 million white elephant mortgage to pay off like they need a hole in the head.

Commissioner Maureen O'Rourke and Chief Kilfoil are correct, the money is being used properly.

Bob Persons

Retired (defeated) Police District Commissioner