PD expansion, upgrades part of long-range plans BY SETH MANDEL Staff Writer JAMESBURG — The borough’s police department is within reach of several objectives set just a few years ago. Council President and Police Commissioner Otto Kostbar recalled when the department began looking to the future during his last stint as commissioner four years ago. “And we decided one of the things we needed on the police force was some long-range planning, some long-range goals about where we wanted to be,” Kostbar said. That long-range planning had some short-term benefits. At that time, the force had six officers. With a recent hiring and the promotion of Officer Robert Caltabellatta, the department has expanded to 13. Caltabellatta and recent addition Steve Burcachiello replaced Lt. Kevin McCarthy, who retired last year on disability due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Because McCarthy’s salary was already budgeted for this year, the borough was able to hire two officers for the price of one, without raising taxes. “When one of our older policemen retires, such as Lt. McCarthy, their salary usually allows us to hire two new policemen for the same amount of money as we would be paying them,” Kostbar said. Police Chief David Lester has announced he will retire next year, Kostbar said. The borough plans to hire two new officers when that happens as well. He said Lester has been instrumental in all the upgrades to the force. “He’s been very helpful and very good to work with during this period of time when we’re trying to improve the services,” Kostbar said. Next year’s additions would increase the force in number to 14, which is one fewer than the number Kostbar said is appropriate for a borough with Jamesburg’s population. “I think the increase in the number of men on the force has definitely made a big difference in public safety, in traffic control, in police presence in town,” Kostbar said. “And that just impacts everything positively.” Kostbar said improved public safety has contributed to the rising number of businesses opening in town and soaring property values. “I think it’s because of the perception that public safety is in good shape,” he said. The borough intends to have Lt. Paul Karkoska succeed Lester as chief, Kostbar said. “The one thing I did ask the chief was to start hiring some guys with names like Smith,” Kostbar joked. He said no official offer has been extended to Karkoska just yet, but he is confident Karkoska will more than adequately fill the role. “If he takes over the chief’s job, I think he’ll do a wonderful job,” Kostbar said. “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for him. He has always done a great job, and I think he’ll do a terrific job as chief.” He added that the governing body has been pleased with all the officers on the force, and is proud of their accomplishments. In February, after the police department in nearby Helmetta was left suddenly short-handed, the two boroughs struck an interlocal agreement so that Jamesburg police would assist in covering Helmetta’s public safety needs. Kostbar said Caltabellatta and Burcachiello were hired prior to the interlocal agreement, and Jamesburg was confident it had the manpower necessary to provide the assistance. “And I think it’s really been working out very well,” Kostbar said. “Our guys have been learning the town, learning more about it, that type of thing, and I think it’s been working out real well.” Kostbar added that although the interlocal can be terminated if both towns decide it is no longer necessary, it will probably be continued since it is benefiting both municipalities. “We hope we can continue to cooperate,” he said. “It just makes sense for both towns to share services and to help each other out.” When Jamesburg has needed assistance, Helmetta has stepped up, as it did on the Fourth of July when Helmetta provided the borough with one officer, as well as equipment, such as an extra bicycle, Kostbar said. “It might not sound like much, but if that one bicycle is short — we’ve got 2,000 people here — that could really create some irritation,” Kostbar said. “If you have one unguarded intersection, that’s a real irritation. But when you have friends like Helmetta that can help you out, loan you some equipment or have one of their men come over and help you out, it’s a real big help, and we really thank them for that.” Jamesburg will supplement the personnel goals of the department with anticipated technological advancements. Grants such as the $100,000 federal grant the borough received in January, as well as forward-thinking budgeting, will help the borough meet those goals as well, Kostbar said. The grant will enable the borough to purchase laptop computers to aid in background checks and the immediate investigation of suspicious vehicles. Kostbar said the borough hopes to have a laptop in every squad car, and to obtain digital cameras and funding for upgrades to the squad cars themselves. “We want to get ourselves up into the 21st century,” Kostbar said. “There’s a lot of really good stuff out there.” Officials also intend to purchase video surveillance cameras, which are becoming increasingly popular. “Those things are all very, very helpful,” Kostbar said. “It takes the place of extra manpower, makes it a lot easier, makes your police a lot more efficient. So I’m really pleased with that. I think we’re going to be able to move forward on that front.” Efforts at the police department have been made at no expense to residents, Kostbar said. As the town’s population has grown, he said, there has been a need for more police coverage and traffic control, and Kostbar feels the borough has been on schedule with all of its goals. “I’m just extremely pleased with all the strides the police force has made. I think it’s really been making a difference,” he said.