North Canaan keeps resident trooper

NORTH CANAAN — Residents of the town of North Canaan gathered at Town Hall on April 26 for a special town meeting to vote on the future of their resident trooper. After a contentious discussion, the 55 residents in attendance voted 37 to 18 in favor of keeping the program for another year.

The special town meeting was called following a $30,000 increase in the resident trooper’s budget for North Canaan next year. Keeping the resident trooper would cost $158,000 in 2023-24, up from $128,000 in 2022-23.

Lieutenant Cori Swift and Trooper First Class Jeremy Ribadeneyra (current resident trooper in North Canaan) from the State Police Troop B barracks presented their case for why North Canaan should keep the program in place.

“North Canaan’s a very busy town. For instance, last year, 2022, we made 56 arrests in the town of North Canaan. Salisbury is twice the size and has more people. They made 18,” said Ribadeneyra. “Of all the towns in Troop B’s jurisdiction, the town of New Hartford is the only town that creates more case numbers.”

“There is a lot that goes on in this town behind the scenes that people don’t know about. Jeremy’s here in the middle of the night trying to catch drug dealers that are on the street,” said Swift. “Him being here is great. To me, it’s irreplaceable.”

Supporters and opponents aired their position and asked questions of the troopers.

“It’s a wonderful story but the bottom line is our taxes are through the roof and we’re paying now for this when the barracks is right down the street,” said resident Stacey Dodge.

“There’s much better ways the money can be spent,” said resident John Considine as he noted that the town could benefit from services like a grant writer or a town planner. “We’re a town of 3,400 people in a rural community. I don’t see it as a high-crime district.”

Resident Penny Terry, who worked in the barracks for 27 years, said, “Just because the building is there does not mean there’s anyone in it who’s going to be able to get from that building to our school in a matter of minutes.” She added, “This is the busiest town next to New Hartford. That’s the gospel truth.”

Towns rely on Troop B for local police services.

As the discussion heated up, moderator Brian Allyn slammed the gavel.

“This is getting out of hand. We’re going to vote,” said Allyn.

Second Selectman Craig Whiting called the question and the residents then voted by paper ballot. Once the ballots were tallied, Allyn announced that North Canaan would keep its resident trooper for another year.

“It’s a service to the town in an area where police resources are scarce as it is,” said Ribadeneyra after the hearing the result. “I’m glad the town is getting another year of it.”

North Canaan’s resident trooper Jeremy Ribadeneyra (in rear)  answered questions from residents before they voted on whether to keep the resident trooper program in North Canaan during a special town meeting on April 26. Photo by Riley Klein

North Canaan’s resident trooper Jeremy Ribadeneyra (in rear)  answered questions from residents before they voted on whether to keep the resident trooper program in North Canaan during a special town meeting on April 26. Photo by Riley Klein