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Posted by: kwflatbed

Would Be Done In Lieu Of Laying Off 2 Dozen Officers

WBZ) BOSTON Worcester is just one of many cities and towns across the state proposing tax hikes but the police chief there wants to cut overtime rather than laying off two dozen officers.

Either way, New England's second largest city could lose ground it has gained fighting violent crime.

Police were busy in Worcester Wednesday but most calls were routine.

Worcester boasts a lower violent crime rate than comparable New England cities such as Hartford and Providence.

On Wednesday, Chief Gary Gemme was preparing to do away with community policing and reduce or eliminate overtime rather than lay off 24 officers to deal with a possible $1.3 million budget cut.

"Right now, in the city of Worcester, we're seeing an influx of gang members from New York City. We're very concerned about that. And one of the problems if they get a foothold, that opens the door for other gang members from New York City," Gemme said.

The chief says gang unit overtime and outreach to at-risk youth are among services that will go out the door if the city can't cut its $19.4 million dollar deficit, blamed on state finances.

Gus Giannakis is paying close attention. He owns the Pickle Barrel Restaurant on Pleasant Street.

"[Safety is] the most important thing. Without a safe atmosphere, you have no business," he said.

Gemme says to focus on violent crime and service calls, community policing has to go. Worcester laid off 24 officers in 2003 and 2004 was the most violent year in the city's history.

"And once you lost control, it's very hard to get it back," Gemme said.

While Worcester police officers and the people they serve wait to see just what services will be cut, several city councilors suggest colleges and other non-profit institutions in Worcester voluntarily pitch-in to lessen the tax burden.


http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_101164802.html

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Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwflatbed Chief Gary Gemme was preparing to do away with community policing

Do away with community policing? Won't that result in floods, pestilence, and other disasters that would end life as we know it?

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Posted by: screamineagle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784 Do away with community policing? Won't that result in floods, pestilence, and other disasters that would end life as we know it?

Might be an improvement in Worcester.

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Posted by: Deuce

What the hell is OT???

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Posted by: USMCTrooper

I'd recommend building a high fence around the city to keep out all the gang members but then some of the newer cops wouldn't be able to climb over it to catch anyone..........

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Posted by: SinePari

Call in the national guard for Martial Law. Oh wait...they're all IN IRAQ.

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Posted by: Deuce

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCTrooper I'd recommend building a high fence around the city to keep out all the gang members but then some of the newer cops wouldn't be able to climb over it to catch anyone..........

Looking at most of the recruits I guess they'll be issued "wall scaling assist devices: 1 each".
Wonder where on their belts they'll clip em on...
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Posted by: Sniper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784 Do away with community policing? Won't that result in floods, pestilence, and other disasters that would end life as we know it?

Aren't most CP patrols funded by the Feds or Grant monies ???????

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Posted by: rg1283

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinePari Call in the national guard for Martial Law. Oh wait...they're all IN IRAQ.

Just call in a joint task force of CMPSA, Guardian Angels and REACT

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