The Coeymans town board has approved a municipal agreement with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office that will provide two dedicated sheriff patrol units every day to Coeymans.

“This is just a step in, I think, the right direction where the county and town can work together,” said Town Supervisor George McHugh.

McHugh says in exchange, the town would provide a substation for the sheriff’s office. He says this move would nearly double its dedicated patrol from five to nine.

“We’re not here to harass people. We’re here to have high visibility, lower crime, and increase community policing, increase public safety,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.

While some support this move, others question its purpose. The agreement would result in the town cutting two shifts from its police department. McHugh says no one is losing their job, but 21 part-time officers would have fewer shifts.

“Some of our officers will receive a bi-weekly paycheck for three days total, and the one question I ask is how can we expect someone to make a living or contribute to their families — especially in the state of New York — on this merit,” said Coeymans Police Officer and PBA Member Michael Case.

Case wanted the town board to reconsider this move, and allow residents to vote on it. McHugh estimates this agreement will save the town about $280,000. He says this will help after last year’s police budget went over by $75,000.

“Nobody likes to see shifts cut, but I think this is a win-win for the people of Ravena and Coeymans,” McHugh said.

McHugh says this is no way an attempt to dissolve the police department. He says this move won’t affect the department’s three full-time officers — including the chief.