Day after unions call for mayor’s resignation, 24 police officers laid off in Port St. Lucie
August 27th, 2010 by TCPalm.comBy Alexi Howk
Mayor Pat Christensen
PORT ST. LUCIE — City Manager Jerry Bentrott directed Police Chief Donald Shinnamon Friday to lay off 24 police officers and three civilian employees effective Sept. 24, police spokesman Tom Nichols said.
Bentrott’s move comes a day after the police unions gathered outside City Hall to demand Mayor Patricia Christensen resign over accusations she made in a private e-mail that police officers arrested her 18-year-old son, Erik, charging him with serving alcohol to a 15-year-old girl, in retaliation for her supporting police layoffs and increases to city health care benefits.
Christensen apologized for her remarks but said she won’t resign.
Erik Christensen
“We need to find out what we’re doing as far as restructuring, who’s going where and what effect this may or may not have on public safety,” Nichols said.
Courtney Robison, 28, is one of the 24 officers who received notice Friday she’d lose her job Sept. 24. She works the night shift road patrol, from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and had been sleeping Friday afternoon when she got the call.
In tears, Robison, who’s been with the department for 3 1/2 years, said that although she received a letter weeks ago that she might lose her job, the officers had been getting mixed messages from Shinnamon, Bentrott and the City Council.
“The numbers kept changing,” she said. “First, they said 11 officers would be laid off. Then it changed. We were constantly fluctuating on the numbers. No one knew for sure it was going to happen.”
Robison said officers were told they’d be laid off the day after Tuesday’s primary election.
“When that didn’t happen, I thought maybe they changed their minds and we’ll get to keep our jobs,” she said. “I don’t know what to do right now. I’m still in a state of shock. I want to stay in law enforcement. I love my job. I love my career.”
Officer Scott Johnson, local president of the International Union of Police Associations, said the union thought it could save jobs by agreeing to accept wage freezes and increases to health care benefits.
“Our greatest fear is that it will definitely have an effect on public safety and the major restructuring of our Police Department,” Johnson said. “This comes less than 24 hours after our news conference (asking the mayor to resign). The timing of it is suspect.”
Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association President John Kazanjian, (front row, light blue shirt), flanked by members from Port St. Lucie police department (back row), speaks during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, in West Palm Beach. The PBA is calling for the immediate resignation of Port St. Lucie Mayor Patricia Christensen after she sent a mass e-mail claiming her 18 year-old son’s arrest, in which he’s accused of giving alcohol to a 15-year-old girl, is the result of a PSL police department vendetta against her. Staff photo by Bill Ingram/Palm Beach Post.
Sgt. Rod Dobler, a local union representative for the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, which represents the city’s sergeants and lieutenants, said the union would be meeting to decide a response to the layoffs.
Vice Mayor Jack Kelly said Friday the layoffs were “unacceptable.”
“It’s more than unfortunate, and I hope that other people will change their minds and this can be rescinded as soon as possible,” Kelly said. “The No. 1 reason for not laying the police officers off is health, safety and welfare. This is a huge safety issue, and the police unions, as far as I know, have already agreed to wage freezes across-the-board.
“They have agreed to big medical cuts, and now for us to do this makes it hard to bargain,” Kelly said.
Kelly said the department was already below the City Council’s minimum staffing policy of 1.6 officers per 1,000 people. With the 24 layoffs in officers, the department is down a total of 34 officer positions.
Kelly said despite next year’s bleak economic outlook, he would support the city using money from its emergency contingency fund to retain the officers.
“We have crime in the city that we’ve never had before,” he said. “ Six or seven years ago we didn’t have the crime we have today. I know the city has money to save these jobs but the rest of the council thought the extra money should be put in contingency because next year we’re going to be just as bad.”
Bentrott said he ordered the layoffs Friday because Shinnamon said he would need at least three weeks to restructure the department before the last pay period ends in September.
City Manager Jerry Bentrott (file photo/Palm Beach Post)
“Do we have a contingency fund? Yes. Do we have a few reserves? Yes. To be frugal financial managers, you can’t spend every last penny you have,” Bentrott said.
Last year, the city eliminated more than 100 positions, and it has reduced its workforce by 20 percent over the last two years, Bentrott said.
“We’re trying to stabilize the city so we don’t have to go through the same process every year,” he said, noting the city expects a 10 percent drop in property values next year. Bentrott said he’d like to budget for at least four years out.
The city has about 4 percent of its budget in reserves, which equates to about two weeks’ worth of operating expenses, Bentrott said. Bond rating companies recommend keeping at least 20 percent of the budget in reserves, he said.
Christopher Cooper (2002 file photo/Palm Beach Post)
“Unless somebody can come up with a creative way to balance the budget and pay for all of this without raising taxes, then I would be for (saving police jobs),” he said. “We’ve had this discussion for months, and this is the direction we’ve agreed to go.”
Michelle Berger (2004 file photo/Palm Beach Post)
“Right now we are in discussion behind the scenes, but it would be best not to have those discussions in the media, especially since I just agreed not to,” Berger said. “I’m certainly supportive of the Police Department and the work they are doing.”
Read related stories:
- Police unions call for PSL mayor’s resignation; she declines
- Police union calls for Port St. Lucie mayor’s resignation over e-mail
- E-mail from Port St. Lucie mayor has police upset
- Port St. Lucie mayor’s son accused of giving 19 shots of alcohol to 15-year-old girl
Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association President John Kazanjian, (R), speaks during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, in West Palm Beach. Staff photo by Bill Ingram/Palm Beach Post.
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August 27th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
hahah its about time they start cutting down these useless overpaid people.
oh yes public saftey and levels of service.
all these people do is nag you with speeding tickets.
and wtf is that name “police benevolent association?”
that kanijaian dude needs to go he is a thug
August 28th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Nice job John. Way to go, good looking out for the rank and file.
August 28th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Nice. I know where I’m going now to break in to houses. Hahaha suckas!!
August 28th, 2010 at 7:16 am
They need to cut back all public service drastically.
The places with the least crime always have the least cops….and they are so overpaid…..its absurd….they and their uions were too greedy.
August 28th, 2010 at 8:00 am
donna whalbert………….hahaha, who you gonna call when you are wetting your pants scared over some imagined or real problem you don’t have the courage to face? kanijaian dude? You have let the true you slip out. No further comment necessary!
August 28th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Did you see that boohooing deputy crying on tv because she is being laid off and there will be too many bad guys in the community?
With her tears and crying, glad to get this emotional wreck off the force. Woman-up! Yeah, you’re going to get all the bad guys off the street with that display of tears rolling down your cheeks.
Good for the mayor! And do something about the takehome vehicles. The vehicles are being USED for personal errands.
The thugs in the unions are disgraceful. The games they play are indicative of unprofessional behavior. I agree the police are bullies.
That bozo union head is nothing but a PR campaigner. Yeah, what’s his union salary? Guess he feels he has to shake the bushes to justify his salary.
LOSER!
August 28th, 2010 at 9:21 am
That mayor needs to go on a diet bad. Just anothert fat politician sucking off the public.
August 28th, 2010 at 9:42 am
When the economy was good and pay was high, all you cop-bashers took your high-paying, but safe jobs, counted your money, and never gave a thought to the police, fire, and teachers that saved your sorry asses and taught your spoiled, bratty kids. Now that te economy is bad, all you can do is sit around and look for someone to blame for your lack of forethought on your career choice. The public servants of our communities are making pretty much the same money and have the same benefits as they did when you losers were riding high, now you want to take from them, so what- you’ll feel better about your own pathetic lives? you are responsible for your life-choices, just as the police, fire, and teachers are responsible for theirs. When the economy gets better are you whiners then going to support big raises for public servants? Of course not, you’ll just forget about them again…until you need someone else to blame for your failures.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:29 am
mmmm-a mayor with problems with the police, who has a son arrested who is blaming the police. Is this woman real or just Frankel in a fat suit?
August 28th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Twitter Trackbacks…
…
August 28th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
I’m going right now to make an offer in a house in PSL. Congratulations Mayor. To the thief, before you brake in my house read the CASTLE LAW.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
If they want to keep there jobs, then the Union should recognize that in these times everyone needs to tighten the belt, they should agree to a voluntary salary cut across the board to save these jobs that they pretend to care about. It will also help taxpayers. If they refuse to tax paycuts, then they deserve to lose there jobs, Fiscal common sense or greed, its up to the unions to show the public they are not the greedy pigs everyone thinks they are.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I guess it’s not a good idea to mess with the Mayor.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Use the Emergency Clause every GOVT has to void all public employee union contracts.
Advertize for college educated, experienced police and fire to work at higher of Teacher or Military pay and benefit levels.
That should give you 100 applicants for every real position needed to reduce current crime rates and improve fires safety across the board!!
It takes an immediate 25% reduction and another 25% over the next five years JUST to get back to base year 2000 with normal growth and real cost inflation!! GOVT has ineptly avoided productivity improvements current technology provides!!
Merge all local functions into their County duplicate!! Include the Sheriff’s Dept!! The School Board merged into the County would likely be the survivor as they manage 5 times the personnel cost?? NOW, you just eliminated 80% of the bloated redundant GOVT staffs and allowed real economies of scale!!
August 28th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
SORRY # 8 MOST COPS HAVE ALWAY’S BEEN SCUMBAG’S IN GOOD TIMES & BAD ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING. THERE CORRUPTION,COVERUPS & FALSE ACCIDENT REPORTS HAVE ALWAY’S BEEN THERE,STUN GUNNING GRANDMA,FOR NO SAFETY BELT,DRIVING THERE A/C CARS HOME,SHOPPING @ HD & LOWES & PUBLIX ON TAXPAYER $$$$. TAXPAYERS ARE TIRED OF THE OVERFAT,OVERPAID,OVERSTUFFED TICKET WRITING SCUMBAG COP WITH A ARROGANT ATTITUDE. TAX PAYERS ARE TIRED OF THE COPS LETTING THERE BROTHA’S GO AFTER A DUI,TIRED OF THEM BEING TREATED WITH SPECIAL TREATMENT,TIRED OF THE SYSTEM WORKING IN THERE FAVOR,TIRED OF THE ROTTEN CORRUPT COPPER NOT BEING TREATED LIKE JOE BLOW WHEN CAUGHT DOING WRONG.
FUNNY THE COP WHO SLAMMED INTO A JUPITER BOAT DOCK,WE STILL HAVEN’T HEARD WHAT HER BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS??? I BET IF IT WAS ME EVERYONE IN TV LAND WOULD KNOW.
A COPPER YRS AGO GOT INVOLVED IN A ALTERCATION IN A BAR HE HAD A CONCEALED WEAPON (FIREARM) HE WAS NOT EVEN REPRIMANDED FUNNY THE LAW ONLY APPLIES TO ME “NO FIREARM IN A BAR”,,DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO SCUMBAG COPS WITH A BADGE.
I FOR ONE CAN PROTECT MYSELF,LAY OFF AS MANY AS IT DEEMS APPRORIATE TO SAVE TAXPAYER $$$ AS MOST COPPERS ARE SUCKING @ THE PUBLIC TROUGH
August 28th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
What a fat pig loser……vote her out
August 28th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
GET RID OF THEM…GET RID OF THEM ALL….FAT PIGS WITH AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM…….
THE PUBLIC WILL BE SAFER WITHOUT THE PIGS WITH AN ATTITUDE SHOOTING MOTORIST THE INNOCENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT TAKE OUT THEIR DRIVER’S LICENSE AND INSURANCE CARD QUICKLY ENOUGH FOR THE FAT PIG WITH A BAD ATTITUDE….
NO SYMPATHY FOR A-HOLES…
August 28th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
It’s awkward having a policeman around the house. Friends drop in, a man with a badge answers the door, the temperature drops 20 degrees. You throw a party and that badge gets in the way. All of a sudden there isn’t a straight man in the crowd. Everybody’s a comedian. “Don’t drink too much,” somebody says, “or the man with a badge’ll run you in.” Or “How’s it going, Dick Tracy? How many jaywalkers did you pinch today?” And then there’s always the one who wants to know how many apples you stole.
All at once you lost your first name. You’re a cop, a flatfoot, a bull, a dick, John Law. You’re the fuzz, the heat; you’re poison, you’re trouble, you’re bad news. They call you everything, but never a policeman.
It’s not much of a life, unless you don’t mind missing a Dodger game because the hotshot phone rings. Unless you LIKE working Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, at a job that doesn’t pay overtime. Oh, the pay’s adequate– if you count pennies you can put your kid through college, but you better plan on seeing Europe on your television set.
And then there’s your first night on the beat. When you try to arrest a drunken prostitute in a Main St. bar and she rips your new uniform to shreds. You’ll buy another one– out of your own pocket. And you’re going to rub elbows with the elite– pimps, addicts, thieves, bums, winos, girls who can’t keep an address and men who don’t care. Liars, cheats, con men– the class of Skid Row.
And the heartbreak– underfed kids, beaten kids, molested kids, lost kids, crying kids, homeless kids, hit-and-run kids, broken-arm kids, broken-leg kids, broken-head kids, sick kids, dying kids, dead kids. The old people nobody wants– the reliefers, the pensioners, the ones who walk the street cold, and those who tried to keep warm and died in a $3 room with an unventilated gas heater. You’ll walk your beat and try to pick up the pieces.
Do you have real adventure in your soul? You better have, because you’re gonna do time in a prowl car. Oh, it’s going to be a thrill a minute when you get an “unknown trouble” call and hit a backyard at 2 in the morning, never knowing who you’ll meet– a kid with a knife, a pill-head with a gun, or two ex-cons with nothing to lose. And you’re going to have plenty of time to think. You’ll draw duty in a lonely car, with nobody to talk to but your radio.
Four years in uniform and you’ll have the ability, the experience and maybe the desire to be a detective. If you like to fly by the seat of your pants, this is where you belong. For every crime that’s committed, you’ve got 3 million suspects to choose from. And most of the time, you’ll have few facts and a lot of hunches. You’ll run down leads that dead-end on you. You’ll work all-night stakeouts that could last a week. You’ll do leg work until you’re sure you’ve talked to everybody in the state of California: people who saw it happen, but really didn’t. People who insist they did it, but really didn’t. People who don’t remember; those who try to forget. Those who tell the truth; those who lie. You’ll run the files until your eyes ache.
And paperwork? You’ll fill out a report when you’re right, you’ll fill out a report when you’re wrong, you’ll fill one out when you’re not sure, you’ll fill one out listing your leads, you’ll fill one out when you have no leads, you’ll make out a report on the reports you’ve made. You’ll write enough words in your lifetime to stock a library.
You’ll learn to live with doubt, anxiety, frustration. Court decisions that tend to hinder rather than help you. Dorado, Morse, Escobedo, Cahan. You’ll learn to live with the District Attorney, testifying in court, defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, judges, juries, witnesses. And sometimes you’re not going to be happy with the outcome.
But there’s also this: there are over 5,000 men in this city, who know that being a policeman is an endless, glamourless, thankless job that’s gotta be done.
I know it, too, and I’m damn glad to be one of them
August 28th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
well, i do feel bad for those officers…it sucks to be unemployed.as far as the union goes..they are worthless!all they do is seek raises for the pbso deputies…its absurd how much deputies in palm beach county are making!i know of career deputies that make an annual salary of 95,000 a year!!!thats 1 deputy!!!!look into the salaries of pbso deputies….this is where cuts need to be made so that palm beach county doesnt end up like other bankrupt counties.lts make at least 110,000….capts around 150,000….regular deputies top out at around 84,000….thats absurd!this isnt california….wtf!!!!!
August 28th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Its the way it goes, start screwing with the boss and she’ll get the last laugh. If I screwed with my boss the same way you did with the mayor I would be gone too. Get in the real world, You may not believe in what they say but they are still your boss union or no union. Deal with it!!
August 28th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
If you knew weeks ago there might be layoffs in the PD, why would you want to piss off the mayor. Now the layoffs begin. Looks to me like a war that NOBODY wins. Both sides will take hits on this one!!!
August 28th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
To all of you out there complaining about the police; remember the words spoken time and time again when you saw a child struck by a car, or a brutal murder scene, or a loved one hurt and in pain:
“it’s OK now, the police are here”.
You’ll remember those words when there’s no one left to help you.
August 28th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Hey, Audio…I hope you cut and pasted that from someplace…sure is a lot of typing.
Don’t know which is worse, the fact that you put that in the comment section or the fact that I couldn’t stop laughing because I know where it’s from and there are hundreds of people reading it that don’t get it!
That Joe Friday, always good for a 7 minute monologue. I wonder if he did it straight through or if they edited it?
August 28th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
If the police can only pick on the mayor’s weight, that shows they are a bunch of idiots. Who gave these guys guns and badges? Maybe PSL need to hire real heroes for law enforcement! You can find them as they return from Iraq. Those men and women need a job. Finally, a mayor that is willing to take a stand on these threats. Cut out more waste in the city departments.
August 28th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
WHAT ARE POLICEMEN MADE OF?
A POLICEMAN IS A COMPOSITION OF WHAT ALL MEN ARE, A MINGLING OF SAINT AND
SINNER, DUST AND DEITY.
LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF 1 PERCENT OF POLICEMEN MISFIT THE UNIFORM.
HE, OF ALL MEN, IS AT ONCE THE MOST WANTED AND THE MOST UNWANTED.
HE MUST BE SUCH A DIPLOMAT THAT HE CAN SETTLE DIFFERENCES SO THAT EACH WILL THINK HE WON.
BUT IF A POLICEMAN IS PLEASANT, HE’S A FLIRT; IF HE’S NOT, HE’S A GROUCH.
HE MUST BE ABLE TO START BREATHING, STOP BLEEDING, TIE SPLINTS, AND ABOVE ALL, BE SURE THE VICTIM GOES HOME WITHOUT A LIMP – OR EXPECT TO BE SUED.
HE MUST KNOW EVERY GUN, DRAW ON THE RUN, AND HIT WHERE IT DOESN’T HURT.
HE MUST BE ABLE TO WHIP TWO MEN TWICE HIS SIZE AND HALF HIS AGE WITHOUT
DAMAGING HIS UNIFORM AND WITHOUT BEING “BRUTAL.”
IF YOU HIT HIM, HE’S A COWARD, IF HE HITS YOU, HE’S A BULLY.
HE MUST KNOW WHERE ALL THE SIN IS AND NOT PARTAKE.
THE POLICEMAN MUST BE A MINISTER, A SOCIAL WORKER, A DIPLOMAT, A TOUGH GUY,
AND A GENTLEMAN.
AND OF COURSE, HE’LL HAVE TO BE A GENIUS – FOR HE’LL HAVE
TO FEED AND CLOTHE A FAMILY ON A POLICEMAN’S SALARY.
UNKNOWN AUTHOR
August 28th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
“The Final Inspection”
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?”
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,
Because those of us who carry badges
can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep….
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you’ve a place for me here,
Lord, It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t…..I’ll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, policeman,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in hell.”
Author Unknown
August 28th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
“A Part of America Died”
Somebody killed a policeman today,
and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect,
will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect that shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights.
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
and spend many long, lonely nights.
The beat that he walked was a battle field too,
just as if he’d gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won’t fly at half mast,
to his name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
a cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
and he stands at each new rookie’s side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all,
and a part of America died.
©1984 America Police Hall of Fame
North Port, Florida
August 28th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
“I am the Officer”
I have been where you fear to be,
I have seen what you fear to see,
I have done what you fear to do -
All these things I have done for you.
I am the person you lean upon,
The one you cast your scorn upon,
The one you bring your troubles to -
All these people I’ve been for you.
The one you ask to stand apart,
The one you feel should have no heart,
The one you call “The Officer in Blue,”
But I’m just a person, just like you.
And through the years I’ve come to see,
That I am not always what you ask of me;
So, take this badge … take this gun …
Will you take it … will anyone?
And when you watch a person die
And hear a battered baby cry,
Then do you think that you can be
All these things you ask of me?
(Author unknown)
August 28th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Yesterday they laid to rest
Master Deputy Steve Roberts
A deputy killed in the line of duty
Time will somewhat ease the pain
and his memory will slowly fade…
Now, the funeral is over
and the general public will soon forget
about the Sheriff’s Department Motorcycle Officer
that sacrificed his life
“to protect and serve”
the people of St. Lucie County
How soon they will forget
how this man for 14 years
wore his Sheriff’s Motorcycle Division uniform
with honor and pride
watching over and keeping safe
the school children in the area
The kids will miss “Deputy Steve,” his motorcycle
and his mounted patrol horse Dakota
tremendously
His co-workers, family and friends
will miss his big smile and joyful laughter
around town and the station…
“HEADQUARTERS TO ST. LUCIE 267 …
WE LOVE YA’ STEVE AND WE’RE GONNA MISS YA’ …
YOU HAVE GONE… BUT THOSE OF US WHO KNEW YOU
WILL NEVER FORGET YOU…
10-7 10-42…”
By
Loretta Cox
August 28th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Our country is 3 trillion dollars in debt. The taxpayer is going in debt funding these unions with raises, early pensions, extradinary healthcare, free use of public vehicles.
This union is greedy, takes advantage of the public’s good will. WE CAN’ T KEEP FUNDING these topped out salaries and benefits.
IT MUST STOP. Break the contract. The public is willing.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
All these long responses are not original but repeats of previous replies. I think they save them on a word doc and reposts them when needed. If you want people to feel guilty try a little harder.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Tom I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it today!!! You’re an asshole
August 28th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I believe this the right decision, some of this police officers are way overpaid that we have to pay . Mayor stay firm in your decision the city of Port Saint Lucie are with you 100%.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Hahahahahaha ohh the poor little police cant continue milking the public during a recession.. how sad for you guys.
The Police sure didnt seem to care when they were told to,
“go out and ticket as many people as you can. we need money!!!” The police did just that, they harrassed the General Public and now they are crying because no one feels sorry for them.
Ohh and Po Po’s why dont you stop pretending like you guys are Hero’s. Hero’s are there to Help when the Situation is Unfolding, Not when it is over to take a Report. the REAL Heroes are stuck in Iraq and Afghanistan!
August 28th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Maybe if the Mayor and others didnt give all that money to Torrey Pines and the rest out here in Tradition,they would have the funds for the cops.T.Pines looks like a ghost town out there and if anything comes of this it will be many yrs.from now,in the meantime us homeowners in Tradition are basically paying double taxes for all this nonsense…just one reason Im selling my house for a big loss to get the hell out of this trash town.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Let’s give it a try with 24 less cops, budget is important. If crime goes up we can always call back cops a few at a time. Lots of other dept’s in city have had cuts in last 2 years, now its the cops turns. Maybe instead of 2 cop cars parked in veterans memorial park talking to each other, they can go separately out on road patrol. Yes, writing speeding tickets deters crime, catches bad guys and prevents accidents. No one needs to go 65 on PSL Blvd in 45 zone like they do now.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I agree…no sympathy for jerk-wads.
Not all cops are jerks…but I gotta tell ya…good luck finding one who’s not!
August 28th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
They must have known this was coming and the calls for her resignation were probably a smoke screen to try to prevent these layoffs from happening by embarrassing the mayor. Typical union tactic with predictable results.
I’m glad I’m not paying union dues.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
35% pay reductions for remaining officers is coming next. It is a foredrawn conclusion. The money is just not coming to south Fl like it has in the past.
Failure to do this will put all communities in major financial danger. Once this happens the pensions are not worth the paper they are written on. Several municipalities will go bankrupt to survive. Hire all new officers at adjusted pay rate to avoid this attitude cancer that all these Officers seem to suffer from.
August 28th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
OH those poor cops, where else will they get $50 an hour overtime for watching a construction site or some such hazardous duty job? Almost every cop I’ve know was a bully in the schoolyard.
August 28th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
citizen says hit it right on the head…palm beach county deputies are receiving top pay because of the union!!!!why???because thier so called leader works for them!!!!!hes a sgt!!!!!time for palm beach county to trim the fat and lay off thier top earning deputies!!!!!
August 28th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Dear Native- I’m sorry that all the normal kids used to beat you up and take your fingerpainting and elbow macaroni projects away from you. I’m sure high school was tough for you. Obviously, you’re still trying to be included in adult conversations that are too far over your head. Now go along like a good little boy and play with your Play-Doh and let the adults talk. Don’t forget to go pee-pee before you piddle your pants.
August 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
it’s more cost-effective to pay crimminals not to commit crimes than to pay a police officer 100K a year to fill out a police report,in PSL case ,almost $2 million a year for 24 officers and 3 support people.That much money could pay 200 of PSL repeat pain in the a– offenders $10,000 a year to stay out of trouble,this could result in a further reduction in overinflated police departments and save taxpayers a ton of money!!!! The Mayor hs her personal family problems,however,it’s no secret that law enforcement has gotten too big,too arrogant and self serving and can certainly be downsized and retooled to serve and protect and respect the public they serve,rather than intimidate,harrass and demand more money!!!
August 28th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Do you get the feeling that Tom was one of the schoolyard bullies and now he gets to ride around with a badge and a gun! Imaging if you piss him off – ya think he might lie in the weeds to get you on some charge. IF one of his family gets in trouble with the law, wanna bet it gets handled behind closed doors. Let’s not forget the Blue Flu and the Code of Silence… but throw him in the clink for a day and he’ll mess his pants too!
August 28th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
The inevitable has arrived knocking on our door for either a windfall tax increase to support overstaffing or lay off a few officers. I am sorry to see this day arrive, but I knew it was coming. It had to. There have been way to many foreclosures, people are in serious financial straits. Property taxes are half of what they were. While it would have been nice to have all our officers, it now looks like the sergeants, lieutenants and captains will have to pay particular attention at dispatching patrols where they are needed most with the resources they have at hand. It might be necessary for the “brass” to get out on patrol as well to make sure the grid is properly covered and that the main arteries are also patroled. With the continued help and dedication of the officers remaining PSL can get through these difficult times. The dedicated professional officers will have to double their efforts and we do need to thank them for their dedication and understandig and cooperation. I detest the lowbrow beer swigging readnecks who must use the term “scumbags” when referring to our police. If someone were to say that to me in public I might have to seriously consider popping them in the eye! I was a state trooper in my early life, I too have been called everything under the sun and we have to consider the source. Being Mayor, the city manager, a city councilman or the police chief and the union president is no easy job. We can see that in this agonizing cutback. ENOUGH ALREADY, lets encourage our public safety first responders to continue to be the best they can be. The dirtbags who hide behind their keyboard smart mouthing their way through this grave community crisis are not helping and only fanning the flames of derision and hate toward the police when they didn’t creat the economic meltdown. God Willing the good and sensible people of our city will elect Chris Cooper as mayor and with his great talent and leadership skills, he will steer the city to an even keel again sooner rather than later. This is no time for a neophyte in the Mayor’s Office so a lot hangs in the balance here. It’s going to take a man of action, resolve and commitment and Mr. Cooper is that man for this time.
August 28th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
I love reading all the police bashing. If you were issued a citation you deserved it, so deal with it. It’s their job to write you a citation if you break the law. Now that you’re happy about the officers being laid off you can call a crack head to help when you’re in trouble.
You ignorant morons have no idea what a cop has to go
through. I suggest you read about “hypervigilance”. You might learn something. You have no clue. Don’t criticize a job you will never do. People are born cops. You have it or you don’t. Similar to being a Soldier or Marine. Police deaths are up for the first time in a few years. You never know when you fall into a screwed up situation. No traffic stop is routine.
August 28th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Florida is full of criminals and trash that have run away from other states to cause chaos here. Florida loves thier law enforcement officers. All of the people on this post who are for the layoffs will hopefully call the mayor next time they need the police and see what happens! In my opinion WE CANNOT PAY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENOUGH. Go over to the court house, any court house in Florida on crime day and see how many people are driving with no drivers license, no registration and no insurance. So many LOSERS with no morals, no conscience, no belief in God unless something goes wrong!
August 28th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
These goon squad magallias are all overgrown crybabies. They get paid way too much and full bennies to boot. Plus the all retire at 45 and suck on the taxpayer tit. It is time that cops got treated just like everyone else. NO job security, constant pressure from the boss, piss poor wages, and retirement only after your worked to death.
August 28th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Hope no one ever reads my e-mails. I tick off a lot more people than you can imagine. Venting is a good thing. Thinking of moving to Port Saint Lucie, so I don’t want to tick off any officers there. However, the way things are today, I support your mayor and hope that Erik gets off with a slap on the wrist.
Best Wishes.
August 28th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
It is about Time that our Mayor told the Union they are over
payed now………….maybe be they should see what the people in the real world earn. Mayor you are doing an excellent job. please keep it up…….thank you
August 28th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Well all you losers in PSL and the ignorant comments that were made. I hope the criminals start goig crazy and have their ways in this town…….. Good luck lol
August 28th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
PSL is only doing what ALL responsible governments should be doing…cutting costs! This recession isn’t going away any time soon. It’s just a matter of time before other cities start trimming the costs of police and fire.
August 28th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Let the cops work a month as a teacher . . no badge, no gun, no arrest powers, no radio call for backup if things get tough – - let them worry about losing their job if they break up a fight and some parent claims prejudice or physical abuse.. oh, and teachers don’t get tons of OT pay or retire at 45. Nobody calls my house to donate money to buy teacherssupplies but I get calls to buy police more equipment. It’s teachers who are born to a higher calling, you either have it in you or not. Cops have a high school education.
August 28th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
They should have cut all the police salaries and saved the jobs of their fellow officers. Get rid of top heavy brass. Need road patrols. Not desk jockeys.
August 28th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Don’t forget to mention also that public education has been under assault for quite some time by reprehensible and unrepentent rightwing neo-conservative Teabagging dolts with their denigrating teachers at every turn. We’ve seen precious public school resources diverted to those worthless endeavors with charter schools and vouchers. Lets protect, enhance and devote all public finances to advocating for public schools first and taking care of the masses, the majority. If someone wants to play games with vouchers and charter schools let them pay for private schools out of their own pockets. These rightwing schemes are nothing more than an assault on teachers, the teachers union and making jobs for the privileged few, their families and friends at the expense of good sound public education for everyone. Shut the charters down and stop the drain. Let the school superintendent and the school board direct their attention that benefits the masses not a fraction of the elitist ignoramuses with their pet projects like charters and vouchers. I am sure the next thing we’ll be hearing from these cranks is that school buses are not necessary, let ‘em walk to school and I don’t have any kids in the school system all of which will be their clarion call. Sound like Glenn Beck, Fox Faux News and the worthless tripe coming out of the Neo-con swamp doesn’t it. Fire any school board member who has the temerity to pursue and waste taxpayers largesse on such “fools errands”!
August 28th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Alot of love in this room….lol.
How come the police isn’t charging the mayor with contributing? Were not the two minors drinking in her house?
August 28th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Get Real Jupiter. The mayor wasn’t at home. Her son is 18 or 19. There is no law against having booze in your own home. The mayor can’t be charged for contributing to the deliquency of a minor. In law don’t you think there is a basis and a threshold that must be met before you can tag the mayor for her son’s indescretion? I think so and I had hoped you would too. Her son is 19 years old and he’ll have to face whatever the charges the police press with his attorney and the court system. There by the grace of God goes your kid if a teenager. Oddly enough, it may be customary in Jupiter to have a babysitter for a 19 yr old son, but we don’t subscribe to that sort of minutia up in PSL.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:22 am
I it was not for Drug Laws we would not need half the cops and what is with a Police Union. What is there bad working conditions? All unions need to be outlawed there nothing but extortion rackets.
Way to go Mayor, but beware watch your driving up there in those woods. LOL
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