monthly charge for police

[RecycleMichael]

I was used as an example of high water bills in another thread and then I was reading how a councilor was trying to get a monthly charge on my utility bill to fund public safety.

I then tried to calculate what I am already paying for police protection.

Someone help me if my math is wrong.

The Tulsa Police have a $86 million budget. There are now an estimated 399,520 people living in the city limits. That works out to an annual charge for police of $215 per resident.

I have a family of four. That works out to $860 per year for me or $71 a month.

My police bill then is more than my water bill, my sewer bill, my trash bill, my stormwater fee, and my EMSA fee combined.

I am not sure I can afford any more.

[tulsa_fan]

It's voluntary, don't pay it if you don't want.  There are people who want to help at least the council is listening to their citizens.

[Conan71]

It's voluntary, don't pay it if you don't want.  There are people who want to help at least the council is listening to their citizens.

So this is like the "Light A Life" program that AEP does on the electric bills?  Check the box and add an extra amount to help with other's electric bills?

We could denote this on our water bills the "Feed A Cop" program

[sgrizzle]

It's voluntary, meaning likely only about 10% of households will participate (especially if you look long term)

$5 x about 10,000 homes = $600,000 a year or about 7-10 officers.

[Breadburner]

Thats a hell of alot better than a 2 to 5% entertainment tax........

[sgrizzle]

It wouldn't collect enough money to be worth anything unless "voluntary" is code for "you can opt out"

[Red Arrow]

unless "voluntary" is code for "you can opt out"

I hate that method but it is effective.

[tulsa_fan]

or not put a limit on the amount that can be added, maybe some business would want to pay more . . . . right now 7 - 10 officers sounds pretty good.

[shadows]

How about when an official is suspended "with pay" place that pay in escrow until a jury of the citizens decide on the guilt factor of the accused. The present system of paying vacations to accused officials would under normal circumstances be considered as voluntary contributions already being made by the citizens.

Any government function that would depend on citizen voluntary contributions would be a gross failure before it started.  How in hell would departments budget future contribution when they cannot manage the mandatory flow from sales taxes?  Where were the high wage planners when the burbs were establishing the retail outlets that was by design was to establish incomes for government infrastructures at the expense of Tulsa. It is time to install the air pads at the bottom of the cliff as if the cost of Tulsa government is not reduced they will be needed.         

[Conan71]

sure I'll pay $71 a month as long as I get to drive as fast as I want on city streets and get a get out of jail free card every month.

Join the FOP instead. Then you can have the additional benefit of drawing full salary while on compulsory vacation after drunkenly pointing a loaded weapon at civilians.

[MH2010]

You could always become a police officer and then join the FOP.  Of course this could also happen to you.


http://www.ignatius-piazza-front-sight.com/2010/01/18/ignatius-piazza-stop-screaming-start-shooting/#video

click the video in the middle. I've watched the video before but this is the only link I could find for the video. Be warned it is disturbing.

[Conan71]

I can't believe the LEO didn't use force on this guy when he charged him, that took a lot of restraint.  I couldn't see an excuse for not unloading on the guy when the driver started reaching into his truck and it was apparent he was grabbing a weapon.

[Breadburner]

Thats a very unfortunate situation......The officer completely let the suspect control the situation and I assume it cost him his life......The media and general public has to share some blame......Officers are always under the microscope when using force.....And I think it causes them to second guess themselves and their training....I wonder if this video was shown on the national media spotlight........

[sgrizzle]

Deputy Kyle Wayne Dinkheller
Laurens County Sheriff's Office
Georgia
End of Watch: Monday, January 12, 1998

Biographical Info
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 37

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, January 12, 1998
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death

Deputy Dinkheller was shot and killed after pulling over a man on a rural road about 6 miles north of Dublin, Georgia. During the traffic stop he called in for backup. Before the backup arrived he was shot by the man with a rifle. He was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the stomach. The suspect was found during a search the next morning and taken into custody.

The entire incident was videotaped by a camera in Deputy Dinkheller's patrol car. On January 28, 2000, the suspect was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death two days later.

Deputy Dinkheller is survived by his expectant wife and 22-month-old daughter. Deputy Dinkheller's son was born in early September 1998.

[Breadburner]

Deputy Kyle Wayne Dinkheller
Laurens County Sheriff's Office
Georgia
End of Watch: Monday, January 12, 1998

Biographical Info
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 37

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, January 12, 1998
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death

Deputy Dinkheller was shot and killed after pulling over a man on a rural road about 6 miles north of Dublin, Georgia. During the traffic stop he called in for backup. Before the backup arrived he was shot by the man with a rifle. He was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the stomach. The suspect was found during a search the next morning and taken into custody.

The entire incident was videotaped by a camera in Deputy Dinkheller's patrol car. On January 28, 2000, the suspect was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death two days later.

Deputy Dinkheller is survived by his expectant wife and 22-month-old daughter. Deputy Dinkheller's son was born in early September 1998.

I hate to say this but that officer was to young to being doing that job alone.......