Jake comes home everyday with new rumors and stories of layoffs, furloughs, etc. He's called this morning once already to let me know the latest update on city negotiations regarding the future of the LAPD police and their work schedules. Times are tough, the economy has made it necessary in our state for many employees to be laid off or given furlough days to compensate for massive budget cuts and deficits.
Some say it's unfair that police not have to take their punches like all the other state and city employees are being forced to do. I understand that. But I also see that the LAPD has made great improvements over the past few years as their numbers have built up to a level similar to other large city departments such as NY and Chicago. As Chief Bratton said in an interview with Celeste Fremon of Witness LA, the small ratio of officer to citizen in the past brought about a feeling of a need to control the community, whereas as the department more recently became larger and the ratio of officer to citizen narrowed, the culture of the department became more of a desire to work with the community and relations greatly improved.
I heard somewhere that retirement and attrition rates alone mean that the LAPD needs to continue to hire each year to just keep their numbers level. I dont' know what the best answer is - there are talks of hiring freezes, furloughs etc. The Los Angeles Times and various other organizations and personalities around LA are supporting LAPD funding and not having layoffs. I just know that Jake is worried and talking about where to trim our costs of living, etc, which makes me worried. Whatever happens, we'll tighten our belts and we'll survive. I just hate this period of uncertainty and now knowing what our future holds.
More coverage about this subject:
Witness LA: When the City Has $$ Trouble, Should the LAPD’s #s Be Cut?
LA Times: L.A. police funding must be a priority
Hang in there.
Posted by: brettdl | September 15, 2009 at 12:22 PM
It frustrates me to no end when cuts are made for LEOs because of tough times. People are getting more desperate with the failing economy which means that we need MORE professionals trained to handle this trial then cutting back.
OK. Rant over.
Posted by: Natalie | September 15, 2009 at 04:17 PM
Wishing you luck. Hang in there. Things will work out.
Posted by: Damsel Underdressed | September 15, 2009 at 05:43 PM
This is totally off-topic but awhile back you posted an image of the new Carbon Motor Company E7 prototype policecar. I thought that you might like to see some video on it.
http://paradisedriver.blogspot.com/2009/09/shape-of-things-to-come.html
Posted by: Paradise Driver | September 15, 2009 at 08:07 PM
wow!scary to think the one job that i thought was secure may not be!who's going to re-arrest all those so called "low risk" criminals when they are given early release? the city council?yeah right!
Posted by: MonicaLASDWife | September 16, 2009 at 01:15 PM