Facing a $6.5 million deficit and a possible state takeover, Pontiac will lay off 25 more police officers, reducing the ranks to 64 sworn officers -- down from 170 just 2 1/2 years ago.
Sounds like the mayor's hand were tied.
Last week, city voters rejected a referendum that would have tossed out the charter wording and allowed the mayor to eventually lay off firefighters and restructure emergency rescue. Voters also failed to reauthorize tax increases approved in November 2006 that would have reopened youth centers and given the Police Department additional money. That money -- about $1.7 million had been collected -- will now be credited back to residents in their July tax bills.
So, residents will get that money back- and the city will rely on OTHER people's money for their public safety. The News calls it "free" help- but as we know, some taxpayer somewhere will be forced to foot the bill for this, namely the county and the state. Even with the "free" help offered, the city will still see fallout in the form of reduced response times.
Chief Valard Gross said that he will require all officers, including supervisors, to work road patrol in an effort to maintain their six-minute response time for emergencies such as shootings, major assaults and calls on breaking and entering.
Lesser crimes such as larceny and vandalism could now take up to six hours for police response, he said.
"I'm asking the citizens of Pontiac to be patient," he said.
Gross and city officials will meet with Michigan State Police next week to discuss free help to the department.
On Thursday night, the City Council accepted an offer from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for help with traffic enforcement within Pontiac's borders. For at least the next 90 days, patrols will roam the city and issue tickets to traffic violators and respond to accidents.
The impatient part of me says "let them live with their decision; no extra patrols, no making other people pay" and let Pontiac turn into the Wild, Wild West if that is road they want to choose.
The human part of me realizes that doesn't work either, and innocent people will get hurt.
So, what do we do when faced with this sort of dilemma?