Today.....Mount Pleasant is a little less safe. (Mayo: how much, safe area) - Charleston - North Charleston - Mt. Pleasant - Summerville - Goose Creek - City-Data Forum

GCreek1997 · 07-14-2012, 04:30 PM

So my roommate's brother works for the local police in Mount Pleasant. Their mayor, as some recall, publicly blasted them in the news last year for basically just doing their jobs. Mayor Billy Swails, and their council and town administrator, have cut benefits, retirement, use of police vehicle while off-duty, and have ignored (according to roomy's bro) a pay study that said they were 10-15% below market pay compared to local and state PD's, and instead gave them 1%, while TRIPLING their healthcare premiums.

Mount Pleasant is the states 4th largest city and BOOMING. Growth over there is insane right now. And it is among the SAFEST places on SC, despite being the 4th largest city. The town drops millions upon millions on parks, recreation, etc, etc. While cutting the compensation for cops and firemen.

But today, that town will attract fewer great cops b/c they'll go elsewhere. They'll lose many good ones too better compensating agencies. There wont be as many visible cop cars on the roads. The one left wont be quite as focused or motivated...due to morale, or just worrying about paying their own bills while also avoiding dangers of the job.

The economic situation of many cities, like in California, demands these cuts be made. But not Mount Pleasant. It is one of the biggest cities in SC. It is one of the safest. It is one of the WEALTHIEST. It is growing by leaps and bounds. AND.....it has the 2nd lowest tax rates in the entire state.

A city that is growing that much, that has that much wealth, and hasn't raised taxes in decades...............is telling its brave cops and firemen they've been living it up TOO GOOD, and are cutting their compensation.....while those guys watch everything and everyone around them in Mt P thrive.

Shameful.

GCreek1997 · 07-14-2012, 04:32 PM

BTW, starting pay is 35K. So the excuse that they've paid out too much in the past is not valid. It's pure greed, and while I lean right politically, the mayor of Mount Pleasant, SC, seems to be a bit drunk on "Tea".

TealDreamer · 07-14-2012, 04:37 PM

I guess it won't be the safest much longer...

GCreek1997 · 07-14-2012, 04:56 PM

For a while it will, because from what he says they have great cops there. Obviously, being that big and that safe, the cops have a bit of contribution.

I just can't wrap my head around a town doing that great, with that much wealth, and taxes that low.....telling cops and firemen they must accept a lower standard of living. Almost like "since other cities in America that CANT afford it are cutting, then even though we can afford it we're gonna cut."

But, that mayor has been a known moron and cop-hater for a while now. He made is public last year.

meks · 07-14-2012, 07:46 PM

you should see the cops toys, tell them to sell some of the millions of dollars of equipment they don't need and give that money to the street cops... as if that'll happen...

MtP has never been known for paying their cops well, for the most part it has always been and still is a safe area.

35K to start a job with no experience or formal education isn't that bad IMHO, they'll eventually move way up close to six figures with rank.

and of course u do have to remember that THEY applied and took the job knowing what it is, it's an all volunteer force so if they don't like the way it's going then quit whining and find another job...

Kathy29483 · 07-14-2012, 08:18 PM

I agree with everything, except the use of city police vehicles by off duty police officers. That's fine for a small, rural force, but as a city grows it becomes too expensive.

I also think that all new officers should have at least an assoc. degree in law enforcement to quality for the job.

For what they have to do, I don't believe they are paid enough.

jlat · 07-14-2012, 08:46 PM

tax the rich that will solve the problem.......

Capt Rick Hiott · 07-14-2012, 09:43 PM

,,,,,,,"Mount Pleasant is the states 4th largest city and BOOMING. It is among the SAFEST places on SC"

I dont know where you get your information from,,,,but what you said is far from the truth...................

ObserverNY · 07-14-2012, 11:41 PM

GCreek1997

I think we all appreciate the service of our police and firemen. But something doesn't ring right:

Quote:

instead gave them 1%, while TRIPLING their healthcare premiums

Am I incorrect in interpreting that to mean a 1% annual RAISE, not pay cut? Also, how much did the MP police pay into their healthcare premiums before?

It sounds to me as though MP's Mayor is being fiscally conservative and realizes that public employees need to make greater contributions to their benefit packages so that MP doesn't end up like San Bernardino in 5 years.

cape_fisherman · 07-15-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Rick Hiott

,,,,,,,"Mount Pleasant is the states 4th largest city and BOOMING. It is among the SAFEST places on SC"

I dont know where you get your information from,,,,but what you said is far from the truth...................

City Data lists MtP as the 6th largest city in SC...but separated from 4th by fewer than 4,000 residents.

And yes, MtP is among the safest cities in the state.