Dateline: May 5, 2003

Times of Trenton

-Santiago details 100 days of reform-

In detailing some of the many changes being implemented in his first 100 days at the helm of TPD, Trenton Police Director Joseph Santiago said he would be investigating the practice of some officers driving unmarked police cars to their homes in the suburbs. As a way of reinforcing that claim he made a statement that's almost as memorable as the, "Where am I hiding the bodies?" quip.

For those that don't remember, Santiago gave that infamous quote in 2004 shortly after allegations of manipulation began surfacing regarding Trenton's UCR reporting, which showed crime was dropping precipitously in Trenton, and after Trenton recorded only 13 homicides for 2003. I always wondered why he didn't whip out that little gem in 2006 after Trenton hit an all time high of 31 murders in 2005?

Anyway, back to the cars.

During the interview with Times reporter Albert Raboteau, Santiago lamented "I don't think the people of Trenton invested in Crown Victoria's because they want to see tail lights heading off into the sunset every night." Shortly thereafter he began taking cars away from specific supervisors, most notably the three Deputy Chiefs. In doing this Santiago claimed it was due to their positions no longer requiring a take home car and it was not done to embarrass, humiliate or discipline the highly decorated 20+ year veterans of the department. (Just like putting them on nights, taking away their authority and making them answer radio calls with patrolman wasn't meant to humiliate them either.)

Santiago then put into affect a new "Take Home Vehicle Policy" that allowed the remaining and future recipients of take home cars greater leeway on their usage, and quite frankly, a rather contradictory position of his stated feelings.

The new policy states officers can use the city owned vehicles (AKA/ "take home" resources) for personal use anywhere and anytime in the state of NJ, and also allows the car to be used for personal purposes 50 miles into Pennsylvania from the eastern border. This is vastly different from the old policy, which expressly forbid personal usage, and now opens up the city to greater liability and expense.

Now with all that said it leads to the latest update of www.captsleepy.com.

First I'd like to introduce you to Det. Anthony Barber. Anthony Barber is an officer who transferred to TPD from New Brunswick Police Department soon after Santiago arrived.

After about a year in Vice Barber was transferred to the TAC unit, where he remained for only a few months. After that short stint he was transferred again, this time to city hall to coordinate the Safer Cities program under the watchful eye of Santiago friend -and alleged gang expert- Bartholomew Colicelli. While it hasn't been confirmed, it was reported that Barber had a take home car in that position too. After about a year in the Safer Cities program, and with less than 4 years on the job, Barber is now the driver for Mayor Palmer.

Now let me just make one thing clear, and I think almost anyone can agree with me on this. If a long time employee who paid his or her dues through years of quality service and dedication was to receive a perk like this man did, then most of us would likely agree he deserved it? But when a new person arrives and has no connection to the city or the department and gets this special treatment, then there has to be some red flags going up in peoples minds? While I'm the first to admit that I have no idea what type of a worker he is, I do know one thing for sure. Politics played a part in this and favoritism and cronyism are alive and well in TPD.

Why do I say that?

The man comes to TPD and immediately gets a raise, a car and premier assignments without paying his dues by working the street.

At least four other officers transferred from different departments before and after his arrival, all with police experience and not known to the criminal element, yet they were put right into patrol.

None of them received a raise, car or sweetheart assignments like Barber.

And finally, Anthony Barber donated at least $900 to Palmer's 2006 reelection campaign. (Page 3)

As the second of two drivers for Mayor Palmer, Barber has an unmarked TPD police car assigned to him to take home. While I don't profess to be the sharpest tool in the shed, I do think I'm somewhat intelligent. But I have to be honest with you and admit that I'm stumped on this one. For the life of me I can't understand why he would need a take home car when all he does is drive the mayor around. Why can't he drive his personal car to the city, pick up the mayor and the car, drive the mayor around, and then at the end of his tour of duty leave the city car behind and get back into his personal car and drive back home?

I just don't get it. Why does Barber have a city car to use at his disposal for personal business 24/7/365?

Now the correlation of the two points: While I find the "Take Home Vehicle Policy" in the Santiago era to be grossly irresponsible, in that it puts an undue financial burden on the already financially strapped city, I also find it flies in the face of Palmer's cries for accountability in TPD.

The old policy strictly limited officers assigned take home cars to use them to go to and from work and home. No taking the cars to Eagle's games in Philly, bars throughout NJ and eastern Pa. No picking up girlfriends, taking them out to dinner and then getting into chases with the girlfriend still in the car. None of that! (All that has occurred)

But now, under the watchful eye of Santiago, anyone assigned a take home car can do anything they want with.

Like taking it to a promotional prep class in Carteret NJ.

"I don't think the people of Trenton invested in Crown Victoria's because they want to see tail lights heading off into the sunset every night."