South Brunswick Police Add Former Trenton Officer
Police department continues to add experienced officers laid off from big cities.
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With hundreds of experienced police officers being laid off across New Jersey, the South Brunswick Police Department added another experienced officer who was victim of a budget crunch in an urban area.
Earlier this month, Marcus Leysath became the newest member of the department after being one of 105 officers laid off from the Trenton Police Department. Leysath, who worked as an officer in Trenton for three and one-half years, said the situation in the capital reached a low point as the layoffs began.
"There was very low morale there, it was a horrible time," Leysath said. "I was out of work for 9 months, a long 9 months. It was difficult for all of us, but the guys did their best to keep their spirits up."
In late 2011, the department added four new officers, two of which were victims of urban police layoffs. South Brunswick Officer Jamal Benbow was one of 125 Paterson police officers laid off in April 2011. Former Trenton Police Officer Michael Ngo, of Hamilton, served in Trenton from March 2007 to September 2011. Ngo served on the Violent Crimes Task Force in Trenton, which focused on problem neighborhoods.
The additional hires brings the total complement of officers in South Brunswick to 73, still down from 82 officers a few years ago before attrition chipped away at the police workforce amid a budget crunch. Chief Raymond Hayducka said the township was able to reap the benefits of adding veteran officers for the betterment of safety in South Brunswick.
"These officers bring a wide variety of experience," Hayducka said. "They see things differently and have a different style of policing."
For Leysath, the transition from Trenton to South Brunswick presented a bit of culture shock.
"We're still busy here in South Brunswick, but the call volume is not as high as in Trenton," he said. "It's not the same type of calls. The first call I got here in South Brunswick was for a bear. I was like what? There are bears out here?"
As he adjusts to South Brunswick, Leysath said he's honored to be given the opportunity to serve in the township as so many of his colleagues remain out of work.
"I'm just very honored, excited, happy and content," he said. "I have a lot of words to describe how I feel. I'm looking forward to learning the town."
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South Brunswick Town Crier
7:33 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
More cops? Do we really need more cops in SB? More bloat and waste!
Manuel P. Mulero
12:08 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Your statement of " Do we really need more cops " & " More bloat and waste" is foolish and I totally disagree with you! We have a great Police force and they are the line of defense between us and the bad guys!! We can never have enough police in our town! Our town is safe and an enjoyable place to live because of what they do for us...protect and serve!!
ReallySB
3:30 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
While I agree with your statement Mr. Mulero that we do have a great police force. I disagree with the statement that they are between us and the bad guys. Like all rural community's police forces are a reactionary force, majority of the crimes cannot be prevented. My issue is with the backwards thinking of what a police officer is these days. Out of the top 50 paid employees in SB 42 of them were police officers, with a max salary of $$184,760 and min of $$100,228. 42 cops making over $100,000??? It used to be a public service to be a police officer now it has changed to be all about the money bump the pay down to $56,000(which is a 35% increase over the national avg of pay) and see how many still want the job.
Concerned SB Citizen
8:41 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
More cops are ok, but is South Brunswick is like Trenton? Look at attitude of this cop!!
"There was very low morale there, it was a horrible time," Leysath said. "I was out of work for 9 months, a long 9 months. It was difficult for all of us, but the guys did their best to keep their spirits up."
With this attitude he is not going to serve SB positively. Please, reconsider this appointment.
Cabana Man
10:46 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
@ Concerned SB Citizen,
How do you know his attitude based on what he was going through at Trenton that will relate negatively? So he has a negative attitude for telling us his feelings at his last position?
I rather have an experienced PO than a rookie patrolling my neighborhood! Great pick up IMHO......
Manuel P. Mulero
12:11 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Just because this new officer is reflecting on his past experience as a Trenton Officer, does not mean his attitude is bad. He is being honest and that is what I want in a new officer. Please do not judge him! Give him a chance.
raymond Weis
11:01 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
Officer Layseth welcome to South Brunswick. As captain of the first aid squad I look forward to working with you, and yes we do occassionally have bears wander through town but for the most part we just have a lot of nice people. So once again welcome to South Brunswick.
ReallySB
12:43 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
I disagree that he will bring a negative attitude to the department, however I see that the department has also started to buy new police cars. So I would hope that all of the cuts that were put in a place a few years ago are not forgotten with all the new additions of cars and officers.
South Brunswick Town Crier
1:41 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Really...yes the town purchased so many new police cars...There is even a brand new Black SUV that looks like something form "Pimp My Ride". Why is the town wasting money on fancy new cars and over staffing the police department while threatening tax increases and layoffs at the same time?
Mike McQueen
7:30 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Crier....someone told me they spent over $60,000 for the police chiefs new SUV. Probably the one you saw....why so much excess when the town finances are such a mess? This just doesn't make sense.
South Brunswick Town Crier
2:27 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Strange wording...."victims of urban police layoffs"...why not... right sizing another bloated urban police department...
ReallySB
3:06 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Pay:
Police Department 25-240 Salaries and Wages 25-240-1 $$8,515,823.59
Unused Time: Police Personnel 11,020.00 days $$2,581,153.29
Crazy amount of money spent our police department, you cannot justify the amount we pay and put out towards this part of our community. Just listen to the scanner one weekend it seems like HQ does all the work.