[inetlom]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

Am I wrong in saying that DeStefano is an incompetent mayor?

Certainly not. Unfortunately people here keep voting him in.

I don't think there have been obvious effects of the police officers being laid off yet...that will come later, unfortunately. I'll certainly be a little more careful, although my area is generally well policed by both NHPD and Yale PD.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by inetlom

Certainly not. Unfortunately people here keep voting him in.

I don't think there have been obvious effects of the police officers being laid off yet...that will come later, unfortunately. I'll certainly be a little more careful, although my area is generally well policed by both NHPD and Yale PD.

Well, thank God he didn't win in the governor's race, LOL! After I started hearing more and more about crime going up in his city I started thinking "thank God I voted for Jodi Rell." Oh, for the good ole days.

[nep321]

This is seriously not cool. Now, an already dangerous city will most likely become even more dangerous.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by nep321

This is seriously not cool. Now, an already dangerous city will most likely become even more dangerous.

I know a few that have gotten laid off from smaller towns, which IMO is more justifiable due to a smaller population and lower crime rate. But in a city where violent crime has gone up drastically in the past few months and years, layoffs in public safety should be the last to go.

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Whoa! That's just crazy.

The first paragraph of the story:

LOL, yes, it just made me laugh out aloud LMAO

What else do you expect from a union leader Quite the Bolshevik tactic. They should now go on a road march, then a hunger strike.

I wish Steve Bell could do cartoons on US internal politics and social life.

[jjinla]

Did the police union leave out the fact that the only reason they are laying off 16 people is because they were again unwilling to agree to a single cut in their bloated pay/benefits packages at a time when EVERYONE in the private sector is hurting?

I'm sick of hearing these "boo-hoo" stories about cops and firefighters. Do they do a noble job? Certainly. Does their union deserve to bankrupt a city? Absolutely not! I hope New Haven and all other cities like them file a chapter 9 to get rid of these unsustainable contracts once and for all.

They came out with the same rhetoric in Newark and yet somehow, the town hasn't burned down yet. Way to hold the lines, unions. Worked great for Chrysler and GM.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by jjinla

Did the police union leave out the fact that the only reason they are laying off 16 people is because they were again unwilling to agree to a single cut in their bloated pay/benefits packages at a time when EVERYONE in the private sector is hurting?

I'm sick of hearing these "boo-hoo" stories about cops and firefighters. Do they do a noble job? Certainly. Does their union deserve to bankrupt a city? Absolutely not! I hope New Haven and all other cities like them file a chapter 9 to get rid of these unsustainable contracts once and for all.

They came out with the same rhetoric in Newark and yet somehow, the town hasn't burned down yet. Way to hold the lines, unions. Worked great for Chrysler and GM.

Ummmm, nobody is "boo-hooing" the loss of jobs so much as the fact that they're scaling back law enforcement in an already crime-infested area. That's what makes this so galling. IMO what would make more sense would be to do what Ed Koch did when the transport workers went on strike in the early '80s - he shot down the union and they gave in after two weeks. I would rather see THAT happen, JMHO.

[jjinla]

You can halt transit for two weeks. What tactic was the mayor going to use to strongarm the police union? What they always use..."OK, we'll just lay off x number of your employees, then."

The union made their choice. Now, it's blood on their hands. They are claiming armeggedon, wanting the public to demand more cops, effectively making them whole again. It's a total fear tactic. And a pathetic one at that.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

Ummmm, nobody is "boo-hooing" the loss of jobs so much as the fact that they're scaling back law enforcement in an already crime-infested area. That's what makes this so galling. IMO what would make more sense would be to do what Ed Koch did when the transport workers went on strike in the early '80s - he shot down the union and they gave in after two weeks. I would rather see THAT happen, JMHO.

Exactly. And what people are forgetting are the ludicrous taxpayer funded programs, and the BS city jobs. You want to talk bloated pay? Fine. Go for the lieutenants, captains and chiefs. Go for the superintendents, principals, and administrators. Cut the mayor's pay, if you want to talk concessions. DON'T cut the little guys (patrolman, teachers, etc) who are the heart of the organization.

Also - how much in overtime will New Haven have to pay for the PD? North Haven paid OT for patrolmen at least one shift per day, which would amount to A LOT more than the 45k a patrolman would start off at.

[stewarthaas]

Our standard of living is getting lower and lower.