By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Some Buffalo Police officers can keep their City take-home vehicles for now.
Last week Mayor Byron Brown announced a 41% reduction in take-home cars, cutting police vehicles from 50 to 30.
The Buffalo Police Benevolent Association took the City to court. 20 officers were scheduled to turn in their vehicles Monday. But instead a a judge decided to give them a two week reprieve. Erie County Court Judge Timothy Drury ruled that an arbitrator will hear their grievance on July 30th.
PBA president Robert Meegan says the take-home vehicles are part of the benefits provisions. He says the City does not have the right to take away the cars unless negotiated under a contract. Officers from evidence, homicide and professional standards utilize the take home vehicles.
But City corporation counsel Alisa Lukasiewicz disagrees. Lukasiewicz says these vehicles are not mandated under union contract.
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