Most Dangerous City in U.S. to Lay Off Half It's Cops

In 2009, Camden, New Jersey, had the highest violent crime rate of all cities in the United States.  It's  violent crime rate was nearly five times that of the national average.  To compare, West Chester's violent crime rate is equal to or just slightly higher than the national average.   Coatesville, Chester County's most violent town, statistically speaking, has a violent crime rate just under two times the national average.  (1)  So, to be sure, Camden is in need of some help.

So what are law-makers planning to do to clean up the city?  They are planning to, and have received State approval, to lay off 180 of its police officers.  That number is half of the city's force.  And, since Camden had the highest arson rate of any other city I could find, they decided to lay off about 35% of its firefighters too.

I realize we are in a recession, and that we are in the middle of "tough economic times."  I'm also all for fiscal responsibility.  However, laying off one cop, let alone half of the city's force, just doesn't make any sense.  Once again, way to go politicians!  Congratulations, you're  making a dangerous city more dangerous.  I feel bad for the 180 cops in the city.  I feel even worse for any of the good citizens of Camden, who are being abandoned by their elected officials.

(1) source - http://www.cityrating.com, from data compiled by FBI Uniform Crime Reports