NYPD: Budget Cuts will Put City Residents at Risk
Under the budget Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled yesterday, the
New York Police Department will lose 1,700 civilian jobs. The newest
class of recruits would be cancelled. The NYPD is now speaking out
against the plan, saying the cuts put the public at risk.
Crime is down nine percent this year, but many worry that trend
of lower crime could change with a much smaller police force. After
more than a decade of strength and growth, the New York City Police
Department is now shrinking.
Pat Lynch, NYPD Police Union President: "We are outraged
that they would even suggest cutting the police department on
the heels of September 11, when crime has the potential of going
up. Homicides are up thirteen percent, gun arrests on the street
are up which equates to more guns on the street."
During the Giuliani years we had almost 41,000 police officers,
but now the July police academy could be cancelled, and New York
City could have just 32,000 cops by next year. Lynch compared the
decrease to the number of cops in 1991.
Lynch: "We remember 1991. Crime was running rampant in our
streets, businesses were fleeing. Brian Watkins was killed on
a subway platform defending his mother from a gang of thugs. It
was a nightmare."
Yesterday, the mayor blamed Albany and the unions for refusing
any help and announced that he has no options left. State law requires
Bloomberg to balance the budget, and he can do nothing but cut it.
Later this afternoon, Mayor Bloomberg will be in Chinatown to meet
with business leaders and have his daily question and answer session
with reporters. Many questions are expected on the Doomsday budget
and its effect on the police department.

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