Minneapolis' budget problems are nothing new, cutbacks in road maintenance are likely, but should the city be reducing public safety services for the second year in a row?
Mayor R. T. Rybak's budget proposes cuts of 34 firefighters and 24 police officers, hopefully from retirements and those voluntarily leaving their departments. If not, then there will be layoffs at the end of 2011.
Emergency responder blog Firegeezer is nonplussed with a response entitled Public Safety Takes a Whack in Minneapolis, noting Minneapolis' high crime rate. And the Star Tribune reports that Minneapolis' fire department is currently operating many engines with crews of three, rather than the standard of four.
The crime rate in Minneapolis is relatively stable, apart from a jump in homicides over last year.
I can live with potholes in the street. But for life-and-death matters? As John Delmonico, president of the police union said, "when someone calls 911, they hope someone shows up."
Is Rybak doing the right thing? Can Minneapolis cope with even less police officers and firefighters?
Comments