Citing an increase in theft of flood recovery items, Schoharie County supervisors agreed to spend up to $10,000 more for additional police coverage Friday afternoon.
Noting the thefts from several flood-stricken homes, the Schoharie Recovery office and the Heritage House earlier this month, Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone called for additional coverage in the Village of Schoharie.
The board, in a split vote, agreed to have additional coverage using corrections officers, for all buildings under construction.
The issue surfaced from a request from the Department of Public Works for patrols during the early morning hours when contractors were working on the county office building, the courthouse and the health department building.
Mr. Milone said the patrols in the village had been ended and it was time they were reinstated.
"There's a need for help," he said.
Many residents are starting to "turn the corner" on the work on their homes, he said. They may not be back in the homes but have supplies, equipment and appliances in the homes.
The village cannot afford the coverage, he said.
Tom Murray of Cobleskill asked about other flood affected areas such as Esperance and Blenheim.
"They have the same situation," he said.
The thieves will be back in Schoharie, Mr. Milone said.
"They know we're vulnerable. They will be back again."
Earl VanWormer of Esperance said there has been an increase in thefts in his town and suggested a special patrol for the flood corridor from Esperance to Blenheim.
"It's something that has to be done," he said.
Middleburgh Supervisor James Buzon also noted an increase in thefts, drug use and other crimes in his town.
The Sheriff's office has been strained, Sheriff Tony Desmond said.
"We have an overload of complaints," he said.
Sheriff Desmond said he is willing to come down and help cover the area but money had to be spent for the coverage.
"This is not like the old west where the sheriff could deputize 15 people and put them on the street," Sheriff Desmond said.
In other action, supervisors agreed to keep their meetings on the third Friday of the month at 10am for the remainder of the year.
Board members toyed with the idea of switching the meetings to the fourth Tuesday of the month until it was discovered that that date in December was Christmas.
The meeting date will be discussed again in 2013.