One in Five NJ Police Agencies Considering Layoffs
One in five N.J. police agencies considering layoffs
From The Star-Ledger, March 18
Quote:
One in five New Jersey law enforcement agencies are considering layoffs because of the bad economy, to a survey released today by the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association.
However, federal stimulus money could help stave off the cuts, association President Anthony Wieners said.
Local governments have already told 325 officers they will be laid off in the coming months, and 297 positions have been eliminated in the last three years, Wieners said.
"Government's number one responsibility is to provide a safe and secure environment for all its residents," he said. "My feeling is, the streets should be dirty before they're unsafe."
The survey did not take into account federal stimulus money that could soften the blow. Police agencies in the state are already expecting to receive up to $47.7 million in federal grants, and more money could be available in the coming months.
The survey polled 33,000 members of the benevolent association during the first two weeks of March.
According to survey results, layoffs are on the horizon across the state. The biggest cut could occur in Monmouth County, where 103 jobs are threatened. Thirty-seven officers in Middlesex could receive pink slips, along with 35 in Passaic, 25 each in Mercer and Camden and 20 in Bergen.
Despite tight budgets and declining revenues, Wieners said it's the wrong time to cut back on law enforcement.
"When the economy gets bad, unemployment goes up. When unemployment goes up, you get an increase in crime," he said.
Teaneck Police Chief Robert Wilson said his department may need to cut five officers, even though they have already scaled back operations like targeted speeding enforcement.
"I'm still hoping to avoid the layoffs," he said.
Jim Ryan, spokesman for the benevolent association, said the number of layoffs will remain in flux as towns develop their budgets and more federal funds reach local departments.
"They change by the hour and by the day," he said.
