Police Layoffs

[tulsa_fan]

So many thoughts, but in the end, just too bad, not only for those losing their jobs but also for the safety and secuirty of Tulsans.

[Conan71]

So many thoughts, but in the end, just too bad, not only for those losing their jobs but also for the safety and secuirty of Tulsans.

Source?

[RecycleMichael]

Yes. It is always to sad when people lose their job. But no work force is immune. I have faith that each department head, including the police chief, will make the best choices possible. There is only so much money. The city is not in a position to provide the level of service that it's citizens want.

It is a good thing that the city chose to accept the federal dollars. It at least will allow them to rehire some of them sooner.

[tulsa_fan]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20091026_298_0_Tulsas31624

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=11387637

[tulsa_fan]

The problem, as I said when the furlough deal came down is that minimum manning levels won't change, so lay off officers, and then guess what, you hire back to have the same number on the streets.  They just keep putting bandaids on the issues and never fix the source of the problems.  From what I understand the police are getting laid off because the union didn't to put it in their "amended" contract to prohibit layoffs, the firemen did.

I also think there is a difference between the "level of service its citizens want" and providing basic safety for citizens.  Just frustrating, it's a quick fix to a really big problem and it's not easy to undo...

[Conan71]

Fire er, maybe Charles Hart will retire soon.  His salary package would probably be enough to afford three or four rookie officers.

I can't help but think there has to be a payroll cost equal to the police shortfall in redundant positions in other departments they could probably cut from instead of public safety.  Maybe whittle down the high-paying at-will positions in the Mayor's cabinet.  I realize it takes more than one pair of eyes to assist a mayor in a city our size, don't get me wrong.  But, it might mean some positions having to double down on their responsibilities.  As I understand it, the Public Works audit is supposed to be a performance audit and determine where there might be inefficiencies and redundancies under that umbrella, perhaps that will help as well.

We've also got to get our representatives in OKC to get a percent of the state sales tax back as an additional revenue stream.  There's no doubt a very large sales tax drain into the suburbs which is not helping Tulsa.  It's been great for development in those cities and is allowing for expansion of law enforcement and infrastructure in those areas, that is no doubt part of the revenue noose around the city's neck right now.

[Kashmir]

This sucks.  Those young rookies are hungry for some action and they could really do some good.

[Wilbur]

Congratulations to Mayor Taylor for officially becoming the WORST mayor this city has ever seen.  She has only tried to protect one thing from the very beginning...  her legacy.  Well, she blew that too!

How many more lists does Tulsa have to finish near the top of when it comes to:  best home market, best place for business, best place for the economy, best place....  Yet, locally we get to claim worst city budget planner.  How many other cities in this state are laying off/furloughing employees to this extent.  Did these other cities not experience the same regional market.

No other mayor in the history of the city has blown through more money than Taylor.

But, the mayor can hang her hat on:  The Cube, Furlough Field, ....  Don't you love it when she tries to claim "no city money was used on...."

Not to fret.  She'll soon be gone.  Unless you have children - she'll soon be over education.  OMG!

And, don't believe for a minute cuts have stopped.  Other cuts will be a further detriment to this city's safety when they are announced.

Uhm...  we'll she have the courage to hand out the pink slips her self?  We'll find out at 3:30 this afternoon.

[MDepr2007]

If the council had not accepted the grant, there would be no TPD layoffs. This is all a scheme to be able to change the use of the grant money.

It would be nice if the extra millions collected from the EMSA water bill fee could be allocated to the city budget.

[FOTD]

If the council had not accepted the grant, there would be no TPD layoffs. This is all a scheme to be able to change the use of the grant money.

It would be nice if the extra millions collected from the EMSA water bill fee could be allocated to the city budget.

Kinda like the storm water management fee keeping the city afloat?

[Wrinkle]

The reason this city isn't up in arms is because they see it for what it really is, a political issue. Swapping stimulis funds for general budget items and 'harsh' cuts to depts is all slight of hand.

[guido911]

The reason this city isn't up in arms is because they see it for what it really is, a political issue. Swapping stimulis funds for general budget items and 'harsh' cuts to depts is all slight of hand.

Yep.

[patric]

So how many unnecessary expressway lights did we furlough?  None?
I dont mean the ones already out (but still being billed by PSO) for lack of maintenance...

It's not a joke, we really will cut police and fire before we touch the sacred cow of street lighting.

[swake]

So how many unnecessary expressway lights did we furlough?  None?
I dont mean the ones already out (but still being billed by PSO) for lack of maintenance...

It's not a joke, we really will cut police and fire before we touch the sacred cow of street lighting.

Lights are going off too:

The city is also selling 225 underutilized vehicles from the city fleet and shutting off some lights on city-controlled
expressways, she said.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20091027_11_0_hrimgs761777

[sroemerman]

If only we weren't having to pay $1.2 million a year on the new city hall...