Tis' The Season Of Giving; Westfield Invests In The Future......Who's Future?

In last weeks Westfield Leader newspaper, Lauren Barr reported the following: The council approved the police department’s purchase of a 2012 Dodge Durango for $24,161; a 2013 police interceptor for $26,795 and a 2012 GMC Sierra pickup truck for $25,483.  Town Administrator Jim Gildea told The Westfield Leader that the prices are state contract pricing and that the models are stripped down.  He said that the Durango will be used as an unmarked vehicle for the detective bureau and that an unmarked car had not been purchased in the last seven or eight years. During the recent severe storms, Mr. Gildea said it became apparent that a second pickup truck was needed by the police in order to cover both sides of town for the delivery of roadblocks and other items.

           

     The police department obtained a 5-series BMW from the Union County Prosecutor's Office through forfeiture from a crime.  Through one of his detectives, Captain Dave Wayman had badgered the U.C.P.O. in an effort to obtain the BMW.  Many thought the vehicle would be used for undercover detective work within the police department.  Not so.  Once in the possession of the police department, Captain Wayman authorized the vehicles overhaul including state of the art electronics, lights and other taxpayer funded upgrades.  Thousands of dollars later, Wayman claimed the vehicle for himself and used it for personal transportation to softball games, gym workouts, and for transportation to and from watering holes all the while filling up the tank with taxpayer funded fuel. 

     After TFoTM profiled the misuse of Town owned vehicles, such as those being used to commute to work and to run personal errands, the Town's administration took away "take home" vehicles from several employees.  

     However, the police department was immune from this cutback.  The need for a police captain to respond to an emergency from anywhere, anytime, was reason for Wayman to be able to use the Town owned BMW 24/7.  TFoTM asks: how many emergency calls did the good Captain respond to while off-duty?  How many emergency calls should the good Captain respond to, in the Town owned vehicle, after consuming alcohol? 
     The Town of Westfield has a no tolerance policy regarding alcohol on Town property......exception......DPW.  See related story: http://07090.blogspot.com/2011/01/shaffer-is-one-host-to-have-when-your.html
     Should the use of a Town owned vehicle, after the consumption of alcohol, be tolerated?  The potential liability puts the taxpayer in a position to fund the Town's defense in the event of a mishap.
     After Wayman's misuse of the Town owned BMW was profiled here at The Fact of The Matter, it later went on to the auction block.  But the Captain would not be without a vehicle.

     The elimination of the D.A.R.E. program due to funding cutbacks, provided a vehicle that Wayman set his sights on.  Go to the following link to read related story: http://07090.blogspot.com/2011/04/mtvs-got-pimp-my-ride-wpds-got-de-pimp.html
     Only time will tell if the vehicles to be purchased for the police department are destined for the intended recipients as claimed by Town Administrator Jim Gildea.
     A "shell game" of sorts could be in the making.  Currently, Westfield Police Chief John Parizeau operates a Town owned late model Dodge Durango.  Will the new Durango really be going to the detective bureau, or will Chief Parizeau, who has been contemplating retirement for over a year, claim the vehicle for his own use, positioning himself to be "gifted" the vehicle for a paltry sum upon retirement.as has been done in the past with previous retiring department heads.
     Happy Holidays Taxpayers.