Senator wants to keep resource officers

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Could the Governor's planned budget cuts jeopardize public safety? That's the cry from one state senator.

New York State Police could take a major hit with Governor David Paterson's proposed budget cuts. State Senator Dale Volker say safety may be jeopardized.

Senator Dale Volker(R) said, "You had better be darn careful what you're doing. Prison riots, I mean God forbid, we haven't had one in so many years."

The Governor's plan could slash more than $200 million in what's called public protection funding. Schools will feel the impact of a leaner budget. State Trooper school resource officers would be moved from schools to other duties.

NYS Troopers PBA Jack Moretti said, "All the ingredients were there for a tragedy to occur."

Moretti tells News 4 a school resource officer stopped a potential massacre at a school in Erie County within the last three years.

"Weapons were there. It was almost identical to a Columbine. He was by himself," said Moretti.

Two teenagers killed 13 people and took their own lives at Columbine High School outside Denver more than ten years ago.

Moretti said, "If not for those school resource officers, who knows what would have happened?"

Grand Island Schools Superintendent Robert Christmann said, "It would be devastating to lose our school resource officers."

The Grand Island School District has had a resource officer for more than six years. It could lose that officer next school year.

There are 90 school resource officers across NY state. Supporters say their impact goes beyond school grounds.

"There can't be any progress on the educational front unless the students feel safe and secure. And having a resource officer, in our case, a State Trooper, gives them a higher level of confidence," said Christmann.

Troopers could be moved out of schools to help make up for retirements. There's no recruiting class because of the budget. State lawmakers will have the final say. Neither Senator Volker or the PBA representative would give more details on the problem avoided locally.