A Wrenching Day for Laid Off Cops

**Xiphos** · 01-20-11, 12:37 PM

A wrenching day for laid-off police - Philly.com

Now they talked of mortgages and unemployment applications and how, in recent days, patrol cops had seen North Camden corner boys wearing T-shirts that read "1-18-11: We Take Back the Streets."

In the lodge, the room hushed as a former union president spoke.

"This town needs a prayer," he said.

**jmur5074** · 01-20-11, 06:59 PM

That is really, really sad.

**Jenna** · 01-20-11, 07:21 PM

Hope they get their jobs back, or similar jobs elsewhere.

**keith720** · 01-20-11, 08:46 PM

I'd be willing to bet that no politicians or staff members in the Mayor's office lost their jobs. I'd also bet that the mayor and city council have armed city police officers that protect them 24-hours-a-day.

**Pudge** · 01-20-11, 09:20 PM

Terrible.

**Twan007** · 01-20-11, 11:17 PM

crap like this makes me so mad I can't even start to think about it

It's the same concept as permanently turning off half the city's electricity, or water, simply because someone doesn't feel that it's important to the daily operations of the community...

I hope that what we are sowing with the decisions we are making in regards to the "necessary" cuts in our infrastructure doesn't put things so far out of reach that we can never regain control again

and I'll tell you what - when it get's that bad - and someone comes to my door BEGGING for the expertise and training that I have acquired over my years in this career... there might be a hefty fine for their stupidity...

plus let's think about the safety of the officer, when he meets one of the knuckleheads that he just locked up a few years ago, who knows he isn't a cop anymore, and thinks that makes the ex-cop a target... God help that situation...

Ignorance is the lack of knowledge

Stupidity is knowing, and just not giving a damn...

sheepdogs are a NECESSITY... not an option - when will folks realize that - just like doctors, EMS, firefighters, teachers, and other careers like that - you don't do them for the money... you do it because you love it...

may God keep you and your families safe brothers and sisters - and may you find a way to put food back on your table, my heart and prayers go out to you

**Jenna** · 01-20-11, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Twan007

sheepdogs are a NECESSITY... not an option - when will folks realize that - just like doctors, EMS, firefighters, teachers, and other careers like that - you don't do them for the money... you do it because you love it...

+1

**Motorwaycop** · 01-22-11, 03:16 PM

Very sad indeed. At least we get to do our full thirty and get a pension before being told to push off.

It really does beggar belief that they think can afford to lose a half a department.

I assume other cops from state etc will have to cover the area? I must admit the whole system over their of local/county/state police confuses me sometimes.
I presume that they will have to pay other agencies that they call on for help.

It also seems that if you get rid of your local officers you lose any community aspect to policing. You also lose all the local knowledge of those officers. It's that kind of detailed knowledge of whose doing what, where and who with in your community thats makes for effective policing.

**BigDawg** · 01-22-11, 04:24 PM

I feel for the officers left also, there job just got a lot more difficult, and dangerous.

**McCrackhd** · 01-22-11, 10:39 PM

I don't know anything about Camden. However, John Stewart mentioned the lay offs the other night. He said that Camden is where people from Newark go to feel good about Newark. I've heard how bad Newark is. I can only imagine how bad Camden is. Are they stupid or something?

**SPD** · 01-22-11, 11:41 PM

I hope the freaking city burns to the ground around the ears of the politicians. Of course, the cops will get the blame even though it is the fault of the politicians.

Nuke it from orbit. Only way to be sure.

**Ducky** · 01-23-11, 09:33 AM

"The public can no longer expect police service for vandalism, car accidents without injuries, and damage to property, Thomson said, as he will focus his remaining patrols on drugs and violence."
Scores hired to protect Camden fall victim to massive layoffs - Page 2 - Philly.com

So now the thugs can migrate to the weathier areas without warning. Gang signs will show up on the mayor's house. Smash and grab car burglaries will skyrocket. And the remaining officers will be blamed for not doing enough.

**BigDawg** · 01-23-11, 11:41 AM

Yup the politicians will blame the remaining officers for not doing enough or doing their job to keep crime down when it sky rockets. I bet there will be at least one politician who will make the comment that the remaining officers are ungrateful and should be happy to just have a job unlike their buddies.

**Buttercup** · 01-23-11, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by McCrackhd

I don't know anything about Camden. However, John Stewart mentioned the lay offs the other night. He said that Camden is where people from Newark go to feel good about Newark. I've heard how bad Newark is. I can only imagine how bad Camden is. Are they stupid or something?

Camden is far worse than Newark. I've only been to Camden when it's been necessary for work and I get out of there as quickly as possible. I would never go after dark, I don't even like being stopped at traffic lights there at 10 in the morning. And I don't scare easily - I'm from Detroit, lol.

What they've done to the police department there is a disgrace.

**Donut Aficionado** · 01-23-11, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Camden is far worse than Newark. I've only been to Camden when it's been necessary for work and I get out of there as quickly as possible. I would never go after dark, I don't even like being stopped at traffic lights there at 10 in the morning. And I don't scare easily - I'm from Detroit, lol.

That pretty much sums it up folks!! Stay out of Camdem unless you have back-up!!