Karen Vinti

PBA President Karen Vinti said the sticking point had been salaries.

Owego police officer and Police Benevolent Association President Karen Vinti said she has not been contacted on the matter.

Owego PBA President Karen Vinti could not be reached for comment.

Owego police officer and Police Benevolent Association President Karen Vinti said she has not been contacted on the matter.

Owego police officer and Police Benevolent Association President Karen Vinti said the pending legislation has benefits and drawbacks."In some ways, I suppose it makes sense," she said.

Having a chief nearby, Vinti said, could be beneficial in emergencies, such as the flooding in June.However, she said, the police department is run 24 hours a day and officers are required to carry cell phones to keep in contact with supervisors.

"We have capable people on 24/7," Vinti said, "to handle any emergency until the chief of police arrives."

A drawback to the proposal, she said, is it might discourage some applicants who live nearby but not within the 5-mile radius."It certainly narrows the search," Vinti said.

Hogancamp said he agrees with Young.

"I feel it is a little too constrictive," he said.

Owego Police Officer Karen Vinti, a former DARE officer who provides security for Owego Free Academy as a school resource officer, offered to help school officials incorporate DARE principles into the existing curriculum and make possible classroom presentations, Superintendent Mychael C. Willon said.