Providence,R.I. like many capital cities is broke,Mayor's solution is lay off 80 police,Is this a good move?

by Sister Jean Posted 2011/05/25 23:18:52

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	good	1 vote	6%
	bad	14 votes	82%
	Undecided	2 votes	12%

More polls by Sister Jean

Gloria 2011/05/27 22:02:22

bad

+1
It's happening everywhere & they lay off firemen also.

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amazinggrace 2011/05/26 15:58:49

bad

+1
That is too big a cut for one department

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Sister ... to amazing... 2011/05/27 22:05:15

+1
agree

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AmethystRose 2011/05/26 03:43:46

bad

+1
That is bad news, Sister. 80 officers is a huge cut. Cities are supposed to have so many cops for the city population. I believe it is usually one officer per 1,000 citizens, or somewhere thereabout.
So, I fear for those officers that might not get backup when they need it, and for the people who may have a long wait for a call to be answered. They may have to prioritize more than usual.

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wildcat 2011/05/26 02:26:27

bad

+1
I don't know much about Providence, RI, but generally speaking it is never a good idea to lay off police or any other civil servant. It would make more sense to raise taxes than to lay off police. Don't tell me Rhode Island can't afford to raise taxes. As much as the US spends on gambling each day we can afford more taxes.

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Jay0Byrd 2011/05/26 01:57:09

bad

+2
Well if I was an Armed Robber, Burglar, Car Thief or alike I'd be headed to Providence on the next train after I knew the cops were laid off.... seems like a very foolish move on the part of that Mayor.

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kitkat42 2011/05/26 01:49:29

bad

+2
I think laying off police would be a negative action. Lower the pay on some of the rich city officials like the politicians, maybe that would save a few jobs.

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bags 2011/05/25 23:49:49

Undecided

+1
Other Mayors have done this to shock the community into willingness to cut somewhere else that they had held firm on. This is often a ploy for a political maneuver.

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Curmudgeon 2011/05/25 23:44:52

bad

+3
Laying off police officers is not a good way to make up a budget shortfall...I'm sure they have other overpaid and under preforming departments that can use a reality check.

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Sister ... to Curmudgeon 2011/05/25 23:49:11

+1
agree

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Razzy Ratchets 2011/05/25 23:41:39

bad

+1
Oh dear, Providence simply cannot afford to do this. The crime is outrageous there.

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cutter's falls 2011/05/25 23:36:20

good

+1
I chose good for only one reason
This way, they will finally see the results of thier greed and over spending

In a common sense approach, it would have been better an a fine example for all to see city hall
announce, "untill further notice" all city workers from this office down to the city parks
will forgo1/3 of thier pay to help secure the saftey an well being of the citizens of this city.
When our ciy's health is restored, then we can once again reap the rewards of our combined efforts

Common sense these days is like looking for a 4 leaf clover in a jail cell

Rare, very Rare indeed

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sglmom 2011/05/25 23:33:12

bad

+3
Cut Mayor's Salary/Perks .. and City Council Salaries/Perks .. Staffing FIRST .. Cutting Police is NOT a good idea (since I am aware of the crime stats) ..

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sglmom to sglmom 2011/05/25 23:34:06

+2
Hmm .. come to think of it .. how big are the pensions for former OfficeHolders in the City? THAT is also a good place to look at cutting .. cut off the politicos from HUGE Pensions for life.

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Sister ... to sglmom 2011/05/25 23:42:17

+3
Mayor does not make that much,but we have a wealthy Gov.who does next to nothing..he should take no salary..his Dad was John Chaffee former Secr.of the navy and a good Gov.not like his kid

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HiYa 2011/05/25 23:31:15

bad

+5
I've lived in Providence for four years, and cutting down on the Police Force is a very, very bad thing.

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Sister ... to HiYa 2011/05/25 23:32:07

+3
agree a lot more night clubs now

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HiYa to Sister ... 2011/05/25 23:38:36

From my understanding, before Mayor Cianci... Providence was openly run by organized criminals. It could go back to that.

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Tau_Seti 2011/05/25 23:28:50

Undecided

+2
My suggestion is to cap retirement payouts to $50K and zero if you are collecting military retirement or choose one or the other.

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Sister ... to Tau_Seti 2011/05/25 23:30:37

+4
pensions are what's killing us

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Tau_Seti to Sister ... 2011/05/25 23:50:58

Odd that we are the only ones who realize that, don't you think?

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HiYa to Tau_Seti 2011/05/26 04:46:54

+1
That is a pretty good idea!

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☆56lady☆POTL~JLA~PWCM 2011/05/25 23:26:38

bad

+3
bad move . . .

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Sister ... to ☆56lady... 2011/05/25 23:28:25

+3
agree

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Kat 2011/05/25 23:22:10

bad

+3
It's never a good move to lay off part of your Police force.

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Sister ... to Kat 2011/05/25 23:28:34

+3
agree

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