Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
Some worry loss of officers will impact public safety
BY ALEX DAVIS
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Across New Jersey, state police protection will be drastically scaled back by more than 600 officers July 1.
The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association released Tuesday a survey revealing that communities cannot foot the bill in order to keep officers, The Star-Ledger reported.
Of 315 municipalities the union canvassed, more than half forecast laying off workers, the Daily Record reported. That means it is likely 617 officers will be receiving the pink slip, if they have not already.
It comes down to police departments finding ways to meet Gov. Chris Christie's budget demands, the Philadelphia Daily News reported.And none of the 21 counties can escape having officers being laid off. The following layoffs could be in the state-police crystal ball: Franklin Township, Somerset County, eight officers; Mansfield Township, Burlington County, four; and Passaic, Passaic County, 18, The Star-Ledger reported.
"We all realize that we are facing challenging economic times and that municipalities must make difficult decisions," said Anthony F. Wieners, state PBA president, in a press statement. "However, the breadth and depth of the layoffs our front-line officers are facing is shocking, and the impact these layoffs may have on local public safety is very troubling."
Layoffs are not anything new, though. Since January, 67 officers have lost their jobs, APP.com reported.
Results of the second-consecutive-year survey also showed a more than 30-percent increase in layoffs as compared to last year's, the APP reported. The survey was conducted at the end of May, that website said.
The NJ PBA represents police in 423 communities.
Deba
t
e @ Omar & Abdullah's Barber Shop 04-25-2009 ..quote courtesy of THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY 04.26.2009
"Public Works gives ex-offenders jobs, it's where the locals work, it's where the homies work. Why are we cutting[Public Works]? There's a sickness going on when Police and Fire aren't so severely cut."
quote courtesy of THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY 02.24.2010A city supervisor allegedly sold drugs from the All Wars Memorial building while on city time and from his city-issued vehicle, leading to his arrest Wednesday morning.Over several months, Salaam received thousands of dollars selling more than a half-ounce of heroin to undercover officers while on his job in the memorial building — which functions as a meeting space and community center — and from his official city vehicle, the prosecutor said. Driving raised another issue, as Salaam’s license is suspended, according to a separate charge against him.
Langford praised Salaam during at least one past mayoral debate as an example of an ex-convict becoming a productive city employee, defending his choice to hire ex-offenders.