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Q:
Is It true they laid off police officers in West Orange?
Is It true they laid off police officers in West Orange?A:Mayor Parisi and Chief Abbott have laid off 8 police officers on March 15, 2011.
Mayor Parisi and Chief Abbott have laid off 8 police officers on March 15, 2011.Q:How many police officers are there in West Orange?
How many police officers are there in West Orange?A:The FBI calls for a total of 122 officers for a properly staffed police force in a city the size of West Orange (based on 2000 census). In 2009, we were 119 officers; as you read this and after the plan submitted by the current administration including layoffs and retirements, we are 93 officers, a 20% reduction in personnel, the largest loss in Essex County. Consider that the cities of Newark (17% reduction) and Orange (9% reduction) have laid off police officers and seen their crime rates more than double.
The FBI calls for a total of 122 officers for a properly staffed police force in a city the size of West Orange (based on 2000 census). In 2009, we were 119 officers; as you read this and after the plan submitted by the current administration including layoffs and retirements, we are 93 officers, a 20% reduction in personnel, the largest loss in Essex County. Consider that the cities of Newark (17% reduction) and Orange (9% reduction) have laid off police officers and seen their crime rates more than double.Q:Is it safe to operate a police department with such low staffing levels?
Is it safe to operate a police department with such low staffing levels?A:Our officers continue to protect the public day in and day out, showing a 16% decrease in crime overall from 2009 to 2010. However, over the same period, violent crimes committed in the township of West Orange have increased by 11%, coinciding with our reduction in force. We are deeply concerned that our ability to protect and serve will be compromised should further cuts be imposed.
Our officers continue to protect the public day in and day out, showing a 16% decrease in crime overall from 2009 to 2010. However, over the same period, violent crimes committed in the township of West Orange have increased by 11%, coinciding with our reduction in force. We are deeply concerned that our ability to protect and serve will be compromised should further cuts be imposed.Q:How much does it cost me as a tax payer for police service?
How much does it cost me as a tax payer for police service?A:For the average tax payer around-the-clock 24 hour police service is 10¢/hour. This amounts to $2.40 a day.
For the average tax payer around-the-clock 24 hour police service is 10¢/hour. This amounts to $2.40 a day.Q:Is there crime in West Orange?
Is there crime in West Orange?A:Through our dedication and professionalism we have reduced overall crime in West Orange by 16% since 2009. However, since police layoffs in Essex County began we have seen a rise in VIOLENT CRIME. This includes shootings, stabbings, armed robberies, and carjackings. We are seeing an increased presence of violent gang members in West Orange. Since 2009, 38 of our members have been victims of aggravated assault while performing their duties.
Through our dedication and professionalism we have reduced overall crime in West Orange by 16% since 2009. However, since police layoffs in Essex County began we have seen a rise in VIOLENT CRIME. This includes shootings, stabbings, armed robberies, and carjackings. We are seeing an increased presence of violent gang members in West Orange. Since 2009, 38 of our members have been victims of aggravated assault while performing their duties.Q:Where can I find out about crime that occurs in West Orange?
Where can I find out about crime that occurs in West Orange?A:You can find numerous crime alerts and articles on the main page of this website as well as up-to-minute news stories www.westorange.patch.com and by following the West Orange PBA Local #25 Official Twitter at www.twitter.com/WestOrangePBA
You can find numerous crime alerts and articles on the main page of this website as well as up-to-minute news stories www.westorange.patch.com and by following the West Orange PBA Local #25 Official Twitter at www.twitter.com/WestOrangePBAQ:What sacrifices has the PBA made to prevent layoffs?
What sacrifices has the PBA made to prevent layoffs?A:We have made significant concessions to meet budgetary demands and continue to offer more. We have proposed savings in excess of 2 million dollars to the township for this budgetary year, however these proposals seem to have fallon on deaf ears. While Governor Christie has imposed a minimum 1.5% contribution for health benefits, our members now contribute up to 3.5% of their salary for medical benefits. We have been contributing 50% of our medical benefits since 1996, longer than almost every other police union in New Jersey. In order to help further reduce costs, we recently suggested implementing Governor Christie's plan for spacing out retirement payoffs. The total payoff for allof the prospective retirees was $1,442,854.20. Under Gov. Christie's plan, the Township would have budgeted $288,570.84, immediately saving $1,154,283.36 this year. Our suggestion was refused with no explanation.
We have made significant concessions to meet budgetary demands and continue to offer more. We have proposed savings in excess of 2 million dollars to the township for this budgetary year, however these proposals seem to have fallon on deaf ears. While Governor Christie has imposed a minimum 1.5% contribution for health benefits, our members now contribute up to 3.5% of their salary for medical benefits. We have been contributing 50% of our medical benefits since 1996, longer than almost every other police union in New Jersey. In order to help further reduce costs, we recently suggested implementing Governor Christie's plan for spacing out retirement payoffs. The total payoff for allof the prospective retirees was $1,442,854.20. Under Gov. Christie's plan, the Township would have budgeted $288,570.84, immediately saving $1,154,283.36 this year. Our suggestion was refused with no explanation.Q: Has the township been properly spending money?
Has the township been properly spending money?A:The township continues to spend money on non-essentials such as $240,000 on a telephone system upgrade, $40,000 on the Township website, and $12,000 on the Mayors employee of the month program.
The township continues to spend money on non-essentials such as $240,000 on a telephone system upgrade, $40,000 on the Township website, and $12,000 on the Mayors employee of the month program.Q:How can we help voice our concerns?
How can we help voice our concerns?A:We are already functioning with dangerously low personnel levels and we now ask for your continued support. Please call the Mayor and Township officials at the phone numbers listed below and tell them "DON'T CUT OUR POLICE SERVICES!"
We are already functioning with dangerously low personnel levels and we now ask for your continued support. Please call the Mayor and Township officials at the phone numbers listed below and tell them "DON'T CUT OUR POLICE SERVICES!"Frequently Asked Questions
West Orange PBA
Robert Parisi
MAYOR
973-325-4100
James Abbott
POLICE CHIEF
973-325-4030
Jack Sayers
BUSINESS ADMIN.
973-325-4050
Sal Anderton, Susan McCartney, Patty Spango, Joe Krakoviak, Victor Cirilo
TOWN COUNCIL
973-325-4155
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