Vacant homes to cops for free...

[djones30]

A variation of that program already exists. Its called the "officer next door" program offered by HUD. Basically any sworn officer with arrest authority can bid on a hud home and get it for half price. I believe he then only has to keep it as his primary residence for 5 years and the equity is his.
I know several people who have taken advantage of this program and it sounds like an excellent deal.

[cityrover]

Originally Posted by JPD

So, if you lived in an area that was having crime problems, and you knew one of your neighbors was a cop, you (and your neighbors...but mainly YOU) wouldn't make any effort to get the officer's input/advice on reducing crime in your community?

I hope we don't live in the same neighborhood.

I doesn't work. In my last sub there were 3 cops that lived there, cars parked and what not.

20 cars got broken into in the matter of 2 weeks while they snoozed away like everybody else. Crime prevention tips? Don't sleep. Ever. Simple, no?

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by JPD

So, if you lived in an area that was having crime problems, and you knew one of your neighbors was a cop, you (and your neighbors...but mainly YOU) wouldn't make any effort to get the officer's input/advice on reducing crime in your community?

I hope we don't live in the same neighborhood.

Nope- there's nothing a cop is going to tell me about how to deter crime that I (and most folks with any common sense) don't already know. Sorry.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Nope- there's nothing a cop is going to tell me about how to deter crime that I (and most folks with any common sense) don't already know. Sorry.

But most folks lack common sense. All you have to do to learn that is walk through any parking deck in downtown and look in car windows at all the items left on car seats that are ripe for the picking.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by JPD

But most folks lack common sense. All you have to do to learn that is walk through any parking deck in downtown and look in car windows at all the items left on car seats that are ripe for the picking.

True, but having a cop in the neighborhood isn't going to prompt that group of people to do anything- they're too stupid to realize that they should ask the cop for advice, because they don't know they're doing anything that needs to be corrected. Now, if the cop wanted to start walking around the neighborhood and offering advice, that'd be helpful, but it's doubtful that it'd happen.

[xraydude]

Actually the tax payer does benefit. How is by having the property owner pay property tax so hopefully their taxes ( the neighbors ) don't go up. So everyone does win

[atlantagreg30127]

I'd support the program from the standpoint that the homes go to cops with outstanding service records, based on the fact that I think cops are grossly underpaid for the jobs they do.

But I also agree with comments that having a cop living in homes in bad areas doesn't seem to deter crime anymore. Maybe years ago, but not anymore. A member of the police locally where I live has a home in one area and it's still one of the highest crime areas in the town, years after he moved in. A neighbor who works for the County regularly parks his car in front of his house and it's actually been messed with more than other cars - it's almost as if the kids see it as a challenge to go after the cop's homes, cars, etc., more now than ever.

So, yeah, good cops need better pay, more perks, etc. In that way I say "go for it". But in terms of deterring crime, I don't think it really helps much, unless that cop actually patrols the neighborhood his home will be in when he's not on duty. Now, THAT might be a decent idea - let's say, pick a bad area. Give 2-3 cops homes in that area. Tell them part of the conditions of the home are that when they're off duty, each of them must spend X-amount of time patrolling the neighborhood (like private security). That might make an impact.

[cityrover]

I would highly contest any perks. I would rather they get pay raise rather than perks. I believe that all people are equal and special perks destroy this premise. Cold cash is impartial and lets people spend it as they see fit