TO: Trenton City Council - Trenton Taxpayers - Trenton Media
FROM: Webmaster - captsleepy.com
SUBJECT: Abuse of taxpayer's money
The following update shows proof of how Trenton Police Director Joseph Santiago spends taxpayer money with impunity.
The below listed invoice (also available in PDF format) dated Oct 5, 2004 is from Norman's Glass & Auto and is for work performed on an unmarked TPD SUV. In 2004 TPD received five new Ford Expeditions, three going in service as patrol supervisor vehicles and two remaining unmarked. Of the two unmarked, one was sent out and given a special makeover.
This genuine invoice reflects a $1400 makeover on the one unmarked Expedition, one that ironically is rarely seen at TPD headquarters. The work detailed on this invoice includes a new interior rug being installed in this brand new vehicle for $500 (What was wrong with the factory installed rug?), window tinting for the front windows at $100 (Is this so no one can see who's operating the vehicle?) and leather upholstery for the two front bucket seats costing $800. (I guess someone needs a pampered ass?)
Although I don't have an invoice for this additional wasteful spending, this vehicle also received a new set of rims for a substantial amount of taxpayer money
It's rumored that the use of these unmarked SUV's are limited to close confidants of Santiago, and have frequently been used for non-law enforcement travel to locales such as Yankee Stadium, Hershey Park and other various non-police related locations.
The relevance of revealing this "ancient history" is twofold. First and foremost I feel it's crucial to make public the misuse of taxpayer money as City Council has recently authorized the purchase of ten unmarked vehicles for TPD with nary a question, and is soon to contemplate the purchase of twenty more. The need to know that misuse occurs by Santiago is imperative and will hopefully cause the administration to put in controls to rein in the extravagances Joseph Santiago and his cronies enjoy at taxpayer's expense.
ABOVE: Private contractor and non-employee Bartholomew Colicelli's unmarked police car. (Although this isn't his current unmarked car, it is one of several he's had assigned to him.)
BELOW: Close friend of Santiago and Palmer campaign contributor, Detective Anthony Barber's unmarked police car.
Note: Both cars are in better condition than over 95% of the unmarked fleet.
ABOVE: Barber car before makeover (No window tinting)BELOW: Barber car after makeover (New window tinting)
Secondly, and just as important, is this particular issue highlights the entrenched attitude Santiago has developed as leader of TPD and goes to the core of his inability to run a 350+ person corporation. It clearly exposes how Santiago operates as a leader and shows what happens when one person has too much power and control.
In other words, Joseph Santiago does as he pleases with no concern of accountability. (Look how long he kept Capt. Sleepy in power and how it finally had to come to an end because of the embarrassment he brought to the city.) He will do anything he wishes at anytime (As punishment he transferred two captains to an unheard of midnight shift because one supported Tony Mack for mayor and the other is a union president, and both remain there to this day.), and he does it fully aware that he will have the unmitigated backing of Mayor Palmer and the majority of city council. (I can't count the times Palmer's backed his man after countless blunders.)
This opinion is solidified by Santiago's response to the media when asked about his failure to abide by the residency ordinance. He apparently told the reporter he doesn't have to justify anything to anyone but the mayor.
Joseph Santiago is taking Trenton taxpayers for a ride, and it isn't even in a tricked out unmarked SUV.