NJ Town Looks To Disband Police Force Due To 2 Percent Tax Hike Cap

LAKE COMO, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- One Jersey Shore town is looking at disbanding its 10-member police force in an effort to save money.

As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, Lake Como Mayor Brian Wilton said they're stuck having to get the town's finances under the state's 2 percent cap on yearly tax hikes.

"And right now, as it stands, I am $643,000 above that 2 percent cap," Wilton said.

Meaning voters would have to approve going over the cap to pay for expenses.

"And I can almost guarantee they wouldn't," Wilton added.

So now, a request has been sent out for proposals from Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Wall police departments to take over patrols of the quarter-square-mile town.

"We have personal relationships with these officers. I know their families, I know their wives, I know their children, so this is not easy," Wilton said.

Wilton said one reason for the funding problem is the town doesn't have a beach to raise revenue.

2013 crime reports show Lake Como had three aggravated assaults and nine burglaries.

The mayor said he's hoping to hear from neighboring towns within 30 days.

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