Tulsa PD Car Take-Home Policy Redux

[Friendly Bear]

As a public policy question, this very expensive folly of allowing all 800+ of our sworn LEO's to take-home their assigned police cars, badly needs re-evaluation.

Begun under the reign of former Mayor Silly Susan Savage, to ingratiate herself to the TPD Union in order to win their support for her re-election, her policy allowed EVERY TPD person to take their assigned police car home within the City Limits of Tulsa.

This wasteful, bone-headed policy was later expanded under Mayor Bill MisFortunate.

Mayor MisFortunate expanded the take-home policy to allow our LEO's to drive their assigned vehicles home within TWENTY-FIVE miles of Tulsa, i.e. 41st and Yale.

And, also while moonlighting at second jobs. How GENEROUS with our hard-earned tax dollars.

Again, to ingratiate himself to his very own Praetorian Guard for their expected re-election endorsement.

TPD endorsed Kathy Taylor, instead.  Sorry.

With the corrosive effects of higher energy prices on our city operating budget, WHEN will the City Administration and City Council GROUND our free-loading, ruinously expensive, TPD auto take-home policy?

In today's Lorton's World, they provide coverage  in their article "Gas Prices Pinch Police", referring to nearby city and county law enforcement organizations coping strategies with higher fuel prices.  

Curiously, Tulsa Police department was NOT cited in the story.....

Anyone wonder why?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080719_11_A1_hPARKT284198

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

As a public policy question, this very expensive folly of allowing all 800+ of our sworn LEO's to take-home their assigned police cars, badly needs re-evaluation.

Begun under the reign of former Mayor Silly Susan Savage, to ingratiate herself to the TPD Union in order to win their support for her re-election, her policy allowed EVERY TPD person to take their assigned police car home within the City Limits of Tulsa.

This wasteful, bone-headed policy was later expanded under Mayor Bill MisFortunate.

Mayor MisFortunate expanded the take-home policy to allow our LEO's to drive their assigned vehicles home within TWENTY-FIVE miles of Tulsa, i.e. 41st and Yale.

And, also while moonlighting at second jobs. How GENEROUS with our hard-earned tax dollars.

Again, to ingratiate himself to his very own Praetorian Guard for their expected re-election endorsement.

TPD endorsed Kathy Taylor, instead.  Sorry.

With the corrosive effects of higher energy prices on our city operating budget, WHEN will the City Administration and City Council GROUND our free-loading, ruinously expensive, TPD auto take-home policy?

In today's Lorton's World, they provide coverage  in their article "Gas Prices Pinch Police", referring to nearby city and county law enforcement organizations coping strategies with higher fuel prices.  

Curiously, Tulsa Police department was NOT cited in the story.....

Anyone wonder why?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080719_11_A1_hPARKT284198

You make this so easy.

If you're going to lament having to read the 'Whirled' and spout off about Tulsa Police, at least search the site regarding the policy change they recently made regarding this.

Just...wow.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?articleID=20080626_61_A12_hEDITO146813

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

As a public policy question, this very expensive folly of allowing all 800+ of our sworn LEO's to take-home their assigned police cars, badly needs re-evaluation.

Begun under the reign of former Mayor Silly Susan Savage, to ingratiate herself to the TPD Union in order to win their support for her re-election, her policy allowed EVERY TPD person to take their assigned police car home within the City Limits of Tulsa.

This wasteful, bone-headed policy was later expanded under Mayor Bill MisFortunate.

Mayor MisFortunate expanded the take-home policy to allow our LEO's to drive their assigned vehicles home within TWENTY-FIVE miles of Tulsa, i.e. 41st and Yale.

And, also while moonlighting at second jobs. How GENEROUS with our hard-earned tax dollars.

Again, to ingratiate himself to his very own Praetorian Guard for their expected re-election endorsement.

TPD endorsed Kathy Taylor, instead.  Sorry.

With the corrosive effects of higher energy prices on our city operating budget, WHEN will the City Administration and City Council GROUND our free-loading, ruinously expensive, TPD auto take-home policy?

In today's Lorton's World, they provide coverage  in their article "Gas Prices Pinch Police", referring to nearby city and county law enforcement organizations coping strategies with higher fuel prices.  

Curiously, Tulsa Police department was NOT cited in the story.....

Anyone wonder why?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080719_11_A1_hPARKT284198

You make this so easy.

If you're going to lament having to read the 'Whirled' and spout off about Tulsa Police, at least search the site regarding the policy change they recently made regarding this.

Just...wow.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?articleID=20080626_61_A12_hEDITO146813

Not having the stomach to regularly read the Lorton's World Editorial pages, I missed this editorial.

THANK YOU for pointing out the TPD take-home car policy change, effective four days ago.

That's a step in the right direction.

Funny that there wasn't a corollary news article to accompany their editorial.

Frequently, it seems that they cover the news to fit the editorial opinion that they've pre-conceived.

The next logical step is to end the foolishness of allowing a TPD car to be driven outside the city limits for commuting to residences in Jenks, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, Glenpool, etc.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

As a public policy question, this very expensive folly of allowing all 800+ of our sworn LEO's to take-home their assigned police cars, badly needs re-evaluation.

Begun under the reign of former Mayor Silly Susan Savage, to ingratiate herself to the TPD Union in order to win their support for her re-election, her policy allowed EVERY TPD person to take their assigned police car home within the City Limits of Tulsa.

This wasteful, bone-headed policy was later expanded under Mayor Bill MisFortunate.

Mayor MisFortunate expanded the take-home policy to allow our LEO's to drive their assigned vehicles home within TWENTY-FIVE miles of Tulsa, i.e. 41st and Yale.

And, also while moonlighting at second jobs. How GENEROUS with our hard-earned tax dollars.

Again, to ingratiate himself to his very own Praetorian Guard for their expected re-election endorsement.

TPD endorsed Kathy Taylor, instead.  Sorry.

With the corrosive effects of higher energy prices on our city operating budget, WHEN will the City Administration and City Council GROUND our free-loading, ruinously expensive, TPD auto take-home policy?

In today's Lorton's World, they provide coverage  in their article "Gas Prices Pinch Police", referring to nearby city and county law enforcement organizations coping strategies with higher fuel prices.  

Curiously, Tulsa Police department was NOT cited in the story.....

Anyone wonder why?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080719_11_A1_hPARKT284198

You make this so easy.

If you're going to lament having to read the 'Whirled' and spout off about Tulsa Police, at least search the site regarding the policy change they recently made regarding this.

Just...wow.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?articleID=20080626_61_A12_hEDITO146813

Not having the stomach to regularly read the Lorton's World Editorial pages, I missed this editorial.

THANK YOU for pointing out the TPD take-home car policy change, effective four days ago.

That's a step in the right direction.

Funny that there wasn't a corollary news article to accompany their editorial.

Frequently, it seems that they cover the news to fit the editorial opinion that they've pre-conceived.

The next logical step is to end the foolishness of allowing a TPD car to be driven outside the city limits for commuting to residences in Jenks, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, Glenpool, etc.

Believe it or not, I would agree with your last statement and even take it one further; although I'm sure I'll get roasted in here for it.

I believe it should be policy of the Tulsa Police Department, like many departments, to require their officers reside within the city limits of the jurisdiction they work for.

I know that sounds a little strange, but doesn't that give the police person some kind of vested interest in the job they are performing?

Just one man's opinion regarding the issue.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

As a public policy question, this very expensive folly of allowing all 800+ of our sworn LEO's to take-home their assigned police cars, badly needs re-evaluation.

Begun under the reign of former Mayor Silly Susan Savage, to ingratiate herself to the TPD Union in order to win their support for her re-election, her policy allowed EVERY TPD person to take their assigned police car home within the City Limits of Tulsa.

This wasteful, bone-headed policy was later expanded under Mayor Bill MisFortunate.

Mayor MisFortunate expanded the take-home policy to allow our LEO's to drive their assigned vehicles home within TWENTY-FIVE miles of Tulsa, i.e. 41st and Yale.

And, also while moonlighting at second jobs. How GENEROUS with our hard-earned tax dollars.

Again, to ingratiate himself to his very own Praetorian Guard for their expected re-election endorsement.

TPD endorsed Kathy Taylor, instead.  Sorry.

With the corrosive effects of higher energy prices on our city operating budget, WHEN will the City Administration and City Council GROUND our free-loading, ruinously expensive, TPD auto take-home policy?

In today's Lorton's World, they provide coverage  in their article "Gas Prices Pinch Police", referring to nearby city and county law enforcement organizations coping strategies with higher fuel prices.  

Curiously, Tulsa Police department was NOT cited in the story.....

Anyone wonder why?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080719_11_A1_hPARKT284198

You make this so easy.

If you're going to lament having to read the 'Whirled' and spout off about Tulsa Police, at least search the site regarding the policy change they recently made regarding this.

Just...wow.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?articleID=20080626_61_A12_hEDITO146813

Not having the stomach to regularly read the Lorton's World Editorial pages, I missed this editorial.

THANK YOU for pointing out the TPD take-home car policy change, effective four days ago.

That's a step in the right direction.

Funny that there wasn't a corollary news article to accompany their editorial.

Frequently, it seems that they cover the news to fit the editorial opinion that they've pre-conceived.

The next logical step is to end the foolishness of allowing a TPD car to be driven outside the city limits for commuting to residences in Jenks, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, Glenpool, etc.

Believe it or not, I would agree with your last statement and even take it one further; although I'm sure I'll get roasted in here for it.

I believe it should be policy of the Tulsa Police Department, like many departments, to require their officers reside within the city limits of the jurisdiction they work for.

I know that sounds a little strange, but doesn't that give the police person some kind of vested interest in the job they are performing?

Just one man's opinion regarding the issue.

Makes about as much sense as requiring every school teacher to live in the school district they teach in, .....  and requiring every Quik Trip dude to live in the area his store is in, ....  and to require every TV reporter to live in the city their station broadcast out of, ....  and as much sense as making every welder live in the city where his employer is based.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

As a public policy question, this very expensive folly of allowing all 800+ of our sworn LEO's to take-home their assigned police cars, badly needs re-evaluation.

Begun under the reign of former Mayor Silly Susan Savage, to ingratiate herself to the TPD Union in order to win their support for her re-election, her policy allowed EVERY TPD person to take their assigned police car home within the City Limits of Tulsa.

This wasteful, bone-headed policy was later expanded under Mayor Bill MisFortunate.

Mayor MisFortunate expanded the take-home policy to allow our LEO's to drive their assigned vehicles home within TWENTY-FIVE miles of Tulsa, i.e. 41st and Yale.

And, also while moonlighting at second jobs. How GENEROUS with our hard-earned tax dollars.

Again, to ingratiate himself to his very own Praetorian Guard for their expected re-election endorsement.

TPD endorsed Kathy Taylor, instead.  Sorry.

With the corrosive effects of higher energy prices on our city operating budget, WHEN will the City Administration and City Council GROUND our free-loading, ruinously expensive, TPD auto take-home policy?

In today's Lorton's World, they provide coverage  in their article "Gas Prices Pinch Police", referring to nearby city and county law enforcement organizations coping strategies with higher fuel prices.  

Curiously, Tulsa Police department was NOT cited in the story.....

Anyone wonder why?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080719_11_A1_hPARKT284198

You make this so easy.

If you're going to lament having to read the 'Whirled' and spout off about Tulsa Police, at least search the site regarding the policy change they recently made regarding this.

Just...wow.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?articleID=20080626_61_A12_hEDITO146813

Not having the stomach to regularly read the Lorton's World Editorial pages, I missed this editorial.

THANK YOU for pointing out the TPD take-home car policy change, effective four days ago.

That's a step in the right direction.

Funny that there wasn't a corollary news article to accompany their editorial.

Frequently, it seems that they cover the news to fit the editorial opinion that they've pre-conceived.

The next logical step is to end the foolishness of allowing a TPD car to be driven outside the city limits for commuting to residences in Jenks, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, Glenpool, etc.

Believe it or not, I would agree with your last statement and even take it one further; although I'm sure I'll get roasted in here for it.

I believe it should be policy of the Tulsa Police Department, like many departments, to require their officers reside within the city limits of the jurisdiction they work for.

I know that sounds a little strange, but doesn't that give the police person some kind of vested interest in the job they are performing?

Just one man's opinion regarding the issue.

Makes about as much sense as requiring every school teacher to live in the school district they teach in, .....  and requiring every Quik Trip dude to live in the area his store is in, ....  and to require every TV reporter to live in the city their station broadcast out of, ....  and as much sense as making every welder live in the city where his employer is based.

Tulsa Police officers should be free to live wherever they want.  We are a Metro area.

They just should NOT get the privilege of commuting in OUR police cars, using OUR fuel to travel to incorporated cities outside of Tulsa.

For that matter, with approximately 1/2 of the TPD living outside of Tulsa, they have LESS say in voting themselves tax increases, or voting for their favored candidates locally, since they can't vote here.

[Gold]

You aren't in the metro, FB.

You don't pay taxes.

You clearly don't even care enough to regularly read the paper.

[:O]

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by Gold

You aren't in the metro, FB.

You don't pay taxes.

You clearly don't even care enough to regularly read the paper.

[:O]

I pay 8.517% sales tax on virtually every expenditure here in the city of Tulsa.

However, there is no sales tax on newspaper purchase.  That's the only tax the Lorton's World met that it didn't like.

One thing that gives me heartburn faster than a Lorton's World editorial is when I see a free-loading Tulsa Policemen in our police car burning our fuel coming into Tulsa from outside the city limits.

Dumb capital expenditure for 800 police cars for 800 police.

Dumber still city operating expenditure to allow commuting in our police cars 25 miles outside of Tulsa.

Dumb and Dumber City Goobermint.

But, they say they need $1.8 billion in more taxes for infrastructure?

Yet, the city can fund the opening of only 4 of 22 city swimming pools, again this summer.

Are the inmates in charge of the insane asylum?

[RecycleMichael]

You are such an annoying bear.

Do you really think that the reason there is no sales tax on newspapers is because of the Tulsa World? Do you know how many other states don't tax nespapers? Do you think the Tulsa World is so powerful that they don't tax either?

I also don't think that having a police car for every officer is bad either. How those cars are operated and who pays for the fuel is the argument here, not how many cars we have. I know you struggle with comprehension because it is just easier to make up conspiracy issues, but it really hurts your credibility.

This thread is about police vehicles and take home policies. You started the conversation.

Why do you need to pivot off into street repairs and which pools are open? Can you not stay on topic?

[MDepr2007]

If the take home policy was changed , maybe we could have the police helicopter back on the weekends.
Wonder what we can get out of the new $2 million one we still don't have yet.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

You are such an annoying bear.

Do you really think that the reason there is no sales tax on newspapers is because of the Tulsa World? Do you know how many other states don't tax nespapers? Do you think the Tulsa World is so powerful that they don't tax either?

I also don't think that having a police car for every officer is bad either. How those cars are operated and who pays for the fuel is the argument here, not how many cars we have. I know you struggle with comprehension because it is just easier to make up conspiracy issues, but it really hurts your credibility.

This thread is about police vehicles and take home policies. You started the conversation.

Why do you need to pivot off into street repairs and which pools are open? Can you not stay on topic?

Money being fungible, the topics are interrelated.

It's really all about CHOICES in public policy.

Even though our greedy, grasping politicians have an insatiable appetite for new spending and new taxes, the voters still apparently have some say.

Some.

The purchase of 800 police cars for 800 police officers comes directly out of the third penny sales tax:

A "temporary" sales tax that originated in 1980 to fund street and road improvements, and has subsequently been diverted to other "capital" expenditures, like fire trucks, city computers, and police cars.

The percentage of the third penny devoted to street and road improvements has fallen in each successive voter renewal since its inception in 1980, to its current nadir of 28% of the total budgeted Third Penny expenditure.

It was 52% at the previous five-year renewal.

A 1-to-1 ratio of cars to officers means less money for street improvements.

It also means that with the extremely liberal and expensive Police Car take-home policy, more of the city's OPERATING budget is being siphoned off to fuel police cars, maintain police cars, buy new tires, etc.

That DIRECTLY affects the city's ability to fund the public pools.  Opening ONE public pools costs $35,000 - $60,000 for the summer.  This pronouncement coming from Mayoral Aide Susan Neal's lips on T-Gov.

The city on its own could afford to open only FOUR of 22 public pools this summer.  Private donors paid to open another SIX.

Frankly, burning up youngsters excess energy playing in public pools probably does more to reduce crime than allowing our police to commute to Mannford, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Sapulpa, Sand Springs.

The TPD take-home policy also means that less of the city operating budget is available for ROAD MAINTENANCE:  Crack sealing, patching, and paving.

The police car take-home policy also means the police cars will wear out faster, coming full circle to bite into the Third Penny capital expenditures, and directly translates into less funding for road improvements.

The two policies in tandem are just:

Dumb and DUMBER.

Regarding the Lorton's aversion to a Tax on Newspapers, they are against it, of course.  

They operate the single most powerful mass-circulation newspaper in N.E. Oklahoma, and they have an Agenda, generally Pro-Tax, Pro-Downtown and Pro-Midtown Ruling Oligarchy to the detriment of anyone else.

If the price of a newspaper was raised due to a new tax, that would probably result in reduced sales of newspapers, and also lessen the ability of the World Publishing Co. to raise the price of their newspaper in the future.

Basic Economics 101.

The state legislature proposed taxing newspapers several years ago.  

Remember?

That proposal died a quiet death.

Didn't the Lorton's World editorialize against the newspaper tax??

[:O]

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by MDepr2007

If the take home policy was changed , maybe we could have the police helicopter back on the weekends.
Wonder what we can get out of the new $2 million one we still don't have yet.

Hasn't every helicopter the TPD ever operated eventually crashed?

[Gold]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by Gold

You aren't in the metro, FB.

You don't pay taxes.

You clearly don't even care enough to regularly read the paper.

[:O]

I pay 8.517% sales tax on virtually every expenditure here in the city of Tulsa.

However, there is no sales tax on newspaper purchase.  That's the only tax the Lorton's World met that it didn't like.

One thing that gives me heartburn faster than a Lorton's World editorial is when I see a free-loading Tulsa Policemen in our police car burning our fuel coming into Tulsa from outside the city limits.

Dumb capital expenditure for 800 police cars for 800 police.

Dumber still city operating expenditure to allow commuting in our police cars 25 miles outside of Tulsa.

Dumb and Dumber City Goobermint.

But, they say they need $1.8 billion in more taxes for infrastructure?

Yet, the city can fund the opening of only 4 of 22 city swimming pools, again this summer.

Are the inmates in charge of the insane asylum?

You don't live here.

You won't give me a zip code or street address.

Where's the closest reactor -- two hours away on I-40?

You aren't interested in this.

You repeatedly show you don't know the ins and outs of Tulsa.

The World is a newspaper.

They have an interest in the first amendment.

Too bad you are the counter-example for why that liberty isn't perfect.

[TeeDub]

How does the TPD deal with the IRS issues pertaining to employees taking the cars home?

Do the individual officers have to claim the "company car" as a fringe benefit like I would?

Maybe the IRS should take an interest in this.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p525.pdf

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by Gold

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by Gold

You aren't in the metro, FB.

You don't pay taxes.

You clearly don't even care enough to regularly read the paper.

[:O]

I pay 8.517% sales tax on virtually every expenditure here in the city of Tulsa.

However, there is no sales tax on newspaper purchase.  That's the only tax the Lorton's World met that it didn't like.

One thing that gives me heartburn faster than a Lorton's World editorial is when I see a free-loading Tulsa Policemen in our police car burning our fuel coming into Tulsa from outside the city limits.

Dumb capital expenditure for 800 police cars for 800 police.

Dumber still city operating expenditure to allow commuting in our police cars 25 miles outside of Tulsa.

Dumb and Dumber City Goobermint.

But, they say they need $1.8 billion in more taxes for infrastructure?

Yet, the city can fund the opening of only 4 of 22 city swimming pools, again this summer.

Are the inmates in charge of the insane asylum?

You don't live here.

You won't give me a zip code or street address.

Where's the closest reactor -- two hours away on I-40?

You aren't interested in this.

You repeatedly show you don't know the ins and outs of Tulsa.

The World is a newspaper.

They have an interest in the first amendment.

Too bad you are the counter-example for why that liberty isn't perfect.

Thank you for responding.

Your public policy analysis will follow?