This agenda item sparked controversy after Binghamton City Council meeting

A suggestion put forth by a resident at a Binghamton City Council meeting Monday evening sparked a heated debate across Broome County and gave rise to claims the council was considering abolishing the Binghamton Police Department.

The controversy stems from an item on the city council's agenda: a resolution proposed by Binghamton resident John Solak, a frequent critic of local government, to authorize placing a referendum on 2024 ballots to pass a Police Choice Act, which would effectively dissolve the local police department.

Nate Hotchkiss, the city's 4th District representative, said the item was included as part of a new commitment by the Democrat supermajority council to hear any concerns raised by constituents. After Monday's meeting, during which Hotchkiss said Solak refused to discuss the proposal during his allotted time, the resolution did not move forward, he said, and is effectively "dead in the water."

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The implied proposal nevertheless drew ire from across the aisle.

On Monday, both Broome County Republican Committee Chairman Benji Federman and Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar, a Republican, released scathing statements criticizing City Council and its "plans to consider" dissolving the Binghamton Police Department.

"Tonight, Binghamton Democrats are moving to ultimately abolish the Binghamton Police Department," wrote Federman. "We're calling on every Democrat elected official, including Lea Webb, Donna Lupardo, Jason Garnar and Josh Riley to condemn this blatant disregard for public safety and slap in the face to every police officer who protects our city. We reject this brazen policy that undermines our local law enforcement in the strongest terms possible."

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At a Tuesday morning press conference, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham echoed these sentiments, saying even considering the proposal was a step too far.

"They want to keep the door open for discussion on this. From my perspective, I could not be more clear, the door is not open, the door is not ajar — this door is shut and locked as it relates to dissolving the Binghamton Police Department," said Kraham. "The fact that you have members of this new City Council who appear willing to engage in these things is dangerous and it shows a lack of seriousness in the role they were elected to do."

Hotchkiss said Tuesday the situation had been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. Having an item on the agenda is not an endorsement from City Council, he said, but rather a willingness to deliberate and discuss.

"Citizens do have the right to submit legislation — we think it is our responsibility to hear what they have to say and engage in the civic process and co-governance," Hotchkiss said.

The debate comes amid controversy over a tied election for the representative of Binghamton’s 6th District. Both the current City Council and Kraham have appointed their own representatives, with the matter heading to court Feb. 15.

When asked whether Binghamton City Council is considering a move to dissolve the Binghamton Police Department, Hotchkiss said, "No."

Broome County Democratic Party Chair Karen Beebe called the Republican reaction to the agenda item a "publicity stunt."

“The Binghamton City Council was steadfast in their rejection of the proposal - submitted by a constituent," Beebe said in a statement. "Instead of perpetuating these lies, Republicans should join Democrats in addressing the real issues in Binghamton, including the more than two dozen vacancies in the Binghamton Police Department that have occurred since Mayor Kraham took office.”

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Fact check: Binghamton City Council has no plan to abolish police