Lake Como closes police department

A small New Jersey police force has disbanded, the victim of taxpayers who didn't want to pay more to keep it.

The 10-member Lake Como Police Department closed its doors on Wednesday and turned over patrol duties to officers in neighboring Belmar.

Voters last month rejected a budget that would have raised their property taxes by more than 22 percent, costing the typical taxpayer about $700 more in municipal taxes, to keep the police force. Instead, taxpayers will save millions by contracting with neighboring Belmar to patrol the streets.

Sgt. Ron Whille tells the Asbury Park Press his grandfather was the town's first police chief and his father was chief. He says a lot of residents will miss seeing the police department.

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