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Crime-Ridden Camden to Rehire Fifty Officers
Camden Mayor Dana Redd listens to a question as she stands with police chief Scott Thomson Thursday, March 17, 2011 in Camden, N.J., after announcing that April 1, 2011, the city will rehire 50 police officers and 15 firefighters. In January Camden's budg
USAToday.com via YellowBrix
March 18, 2011
CAMDEN, NJ – Some Camden police officers and firefighters will be back in uniform April 1 thanks to an influx of funds.
City officials today announced a plan that rehires 50 police personel and 15 firefighters via $2.5 million in “payment in lieu of taxes,” or PILOT, funds.
Mayor Dana Redd made the announcement weeks after city council shot down a balanced budget she proposed that would hire back similar numbers.
Nearly 400 Camden employees were laid off Jan. 18 in an attempt to close a $26.5 million budget gap.
Earlier this month, city council passed a resolution accepting a $5.1 million federal grant to rehire laid-off firefighters. Final numbers on will be brought back won’t be known until adoption of the city’s budget.
That brings the total number of rehired firefighters to about 30.
Redd met with Gov. Chris Christie and the mayors of Trenton and Newark last month in what she called a “robust discussion to be creative in an era of shrinking resources.”
She called out criminals who may have thought it was open season for crime.
“Dont be mistaken, we’re out there on the ground and we’re coming for you.”
Police Chief J. Scott Thomson said the rehires will be inserted into crime hot spots as soon as possible.
Redd noted that she would also strongly consider regionalization of police services, but only if it was in the best interest of Camden.
Jonas
about 2 years ago
38366 Comments
Way to go Camden...
LonnaNJ
about 2 years ago
5074 Comments
BIG BUMP TO Paulbarone
My thughts exactly
BlueKnight4023
about 2 years ago
824 Comments
Amen!!!
T_9
about 2 years ago
5674 Comments
The one thing that this article makes me think of is that the criminals of Camden have been on a free reign for the past however long. And now 50 officers are going to come back into the streets that have had little to know enforcement.... I know that being called back is good for a paycheck but please, brothers and sisters getting back to work, remember that you have to be extra careful and make sure you go home at the end of your shift.
I do agree that LE and FF should never be sacrificed for money saving measures. But leave it to the politicians to make those decisions and then leave us to clean up the mess it causes. I just pray that no officers will have to sacrifice their lives to get the place back on the right path.
BlueKnight4023
about 2 years ago
824 Comments
Welcome back 65 - actually 80. = cops (50) and fire fighters (30).
How long were our brothers & sisters out of work? How many lost their houses & cars? Defaulted on credit or used up their 401k, savings or even kids college fund(s).
BlueKnight4023
about 2 years ago
824 Comments
Men & Women in Law Enforcement & Fire Fighters should NEVER be laid off!!! Ever. That is just unacceptable. Those who proposed it & authorized it should be removed from civil service for their dis-service to our communities. Rock the vote or what ever you want to call it!!! We go to cop funerals in the thousands.. Why aren't we all standing up for our pensions, pay & jobs?
TreeHugger719
about 2 years ago
462 Comments
She called out criminals who may have thought it was open season for crime.
“Dont be mistaken, we’re out there on the ground and we’re coming for you.”
Is this ass monkey serious?! Does she really think people are gonna buy that bullshit??
They couldnt take the fight to the shit heads before the layoffs but she expects people to believe they can do it now.
Then again, when half of your uniforms on the street are criminals themselves, what do you expect.....
dslow
about 2 years ago
704 Comments
Guess the mayor got her purse stolen and NOW there is a crisis. 117 more brothers and sisters waiting for the call.
CAZ
about 2 years ago
1428 Comments
Glad to hear they are rehiring.
Something you will never hear from Politicians: I am cutting my pay and other administrators pay to help out with the budget.
They are the ones who sit behind a desk and make decisions without making scarifices. One day they will wake up and I only pray its sooner than later.
tremor2
about 2 years ago
430 Comments
I would concur with what another poster already stated here...if you're hired back and are unemployed at the time, by all means, take the job! But keep your eyes and your options open, and be willing to
relocate to greener pastures....NJ is just flat busted broke, and economic conditions there will not
improve anytime soon...
ssu459
about 2 years ago
152662 Comments
Yes,it's the right move and definately yes they should continue to look elsewhere
ilegworldchamp
about 2 years ago
8998 Comments
Alexy ; THUMBS UP .
AKangel
about 2 years ago
4824 Comments
Move in the right direction, Don't stop there.....
SgtJoe1350
about 2 years ago
24538 Comments
good move!!
PCSO_P44
about 2 years ago
338 Comments
I was the "victim" of a "termination due to force reduction" in 2005. I was able to my loved profession, but I feel for the officers who lost their jobs, and those who won't be rehired.