PERTH AMBOY – At previous Council Meetings, former Councilman Ken Balut questioned police security provided to the Mayor. Balut wanted to know if this is part of the Mayor’s budget.

Balut commented, “Former Mayor Joe Vas had a grievance against him for using police for his personal security.”

At the 4/9/14 City Council Meeting, Mayor Diaz finally responded to Balut’s concerns. The event in question was a trip to New York to attend an Orthodox Jewish ceremony.

“I was invited by a New York Police chaplain to attend this event. I don’t have police protection. I go around town all the time alone. Our Police and Fire Department represent our City at events in and out of town,”Mayor Diaz said.

The Mayor addressed the Police presence at the Council Meetings, “The Police Officers are here because someone in the audience at a previous meeting asked for it. I stand by my Officers and I will continue to lobby for our City wherever I have to go.”

Another City resident said, “If the Mayor needs protection, it should be from a private firm.”