In a News 12 exclusive, the Port Jefferson Village mayor revealing to News 12 that a gun was left in a public bathroom at Village Hall last month.
"The gun that was found in the bathroom upstairs belonged to a code enforcement officer and it was left there," said Mayor Lauren Sheprow.
Sheprow tell News 12 that not soon after, the board voted to suspend the carrying of firearms by any and all village employees, including code enforcement officers.
Joe and Manny, who didn't want to share their last names with News 12, say as code enforcement officers for the Village, they were shocked to learn they could no longer carry the weapons they say they have personal carry permits for.
"I learned about it via social media, I just read it and I didn't necessarily believe it," said Joe. "The carrying of firearms is for our protection, for the protection of the village."
Manny said finding out he could no longer carry his weapon was "a little upsetting, because all the things that we've done for the village."
Sheprow says the code enforcement officers are only authorized to enforce the village code, and that they are not police officers.
The officers say they do more than just write tickets and enforce parking.
"We've had shootings, we've had stabbings, it happens down here," said Joe.
"I can't tell you how many shootings I responded to where we were first on scene, rendering first aid, securing the scene, securing the crime scene for Suffolk...how many drunk and disorderlies, how many fights we've handled," said Manny.
The code enforcement officers tell News 12 they're worried about the safety of themselves and others.
"We are not armed, we're less safe and the Village is less safe because of it." said Joe.
Sheprow says having code enforcement officers carry guns could be a liability for the village and the decision to now ban them was made in the interest of safety.
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