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
There is some hope for the laid-off police officers in Camden. The Nashville, Tennessee, Police Department is looking to offer jobs to many of the laid-off Camden Officers.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/news_breaking/20101208_Nashville_recruiting_Camden_cops_facing_layoffs.html
Anonymous - what into affect today will definitely not help the city of Camden. What will happen, is crime will rise. The police will be unable to respond to all of the calls it gets. The department will "prioritize" and stop sending officers to reports of minor offenses, like criminal mischief, graffiti, thefts undernvertain amounts, etc. Police brass and politicians will say that this has no effect on the crime, but they'll be wrong. Crime will rise, staring with minor offenses, and escalating to the most serious offenses.
ReplyDeleteWhile Camden police may have had a problem with a few undesireable officers, laying off half it's force was a crime all it's own.
Anonymous, you are absolutely correct. John Q Police is apparently unaware of the fact that the rate of conviction of violent assault for police officers is *significantly higher* than that of the general population. In other words, to make a community safer, get rid of some police officers. And, of course, those are just *convictions* of violent assaults; the vast majority of violent assaults committed by police are ignored by Internal Affairs, or receive a slap on the wrist and a settlement.
ReplyDeleteJohn Q Police - the solution is simple, actually. Very simple. If you want cops to deter crime, have them deter crime. What this means is:
1. Stop speed traps designed for nothing more than entrapping otherwise law-abiding citizens.
2. Stop DUI checkpoints which - since inception - have increased the rate of deaths on the roadway (the reason has to do with a patrol being more effective than a fixed point). That man power can be used to stop crime, rather than harass ordinary citizens.
3. Stop sting operations designed to harass otherwise law-abiding citizens. The local Government here set up a "jay walking sting" near downtown - unbelievable! These people mostly aren't endangering themselves, but the police still harass them!!!
If you actually focus your efforts on real crime rather than harassing everyday law-abiding people, then you would need fewer police officers. You're not interested in that, are you? You're interested in satisfying your small-dick desire to put people in their place rather than ensure public safety.
At any rate, I applaud the city for it's decision.
Wow! Sometimes freedom of speech is hard to swallow. Mr. Policehater, I will obviously not change your mind, nonetheless, I thank you for your interest in my blog.
ReplyDeleteI understand some of what you are saying, but permit me to address your points.
1. "Speed traps" as you call them, are designed to increase public safety by decreasing dangerous speeding. Every year, people die as a direct result of excessive speed. Enforcing speed limits is the most simple way to slow drivers down.
2. DUI checkpoints are used in Chester County and elsewhere. I do not have statistics off the top of my head to counter your assertion that checkpoints CAUSE an increase in deaths on the roadway. What you missed though, is that roving DUI patrols ARE ALSO USED in Chester COunty and throughout the state.
3. "Sting Operations" You mentioned that police have written Jaywalkers, those who cross against the pedestrian signal. Well, believe it or not, people actually do get struck by vehicles because they crossed when they shouldn't. Just like cars have to obey reg signals, so do pedestrians. It may seem trivial, but by enforcing these LAWS, the police are trying to make people SAFER. And, yeah, its a whole $5 fine.
And, if I had a penny for every time someone mentioned that the police should spend their time fighting "Real Crime", I'd be a whole lot wealthier. Tell me, what is a "Real Crime"? Do you suggest that I, or police in general, enforce only the laws that you want them to enforce? Or how about they enforce only the laws that I want them to enforce? Or, how about only the laws that Raul Castro wants them to enforce?
And, yes, I moderate comments on this blog. I haven't censored one yet, but please keep them clean.
Oh, and why not follow my blog while your here, I could use more readers.
This is an old blog post, but the way you respond to these idio... erm, people is pretty fun. Also, your arguments are completely logic(to me, as not everyone feels the same way). I'm going to start following this. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - thanks for reading. I welcome all, well mostly all viewpoints!
ReplyDelete