Posted on 06/27/2012 9:08:20 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Stockton, California is filing for the largest bankruptcy of any U.S. city in history due to the decline in the once hot housing market and an intake of debt during its boom years.
The city has cut more than $90 million in spending over the past few years, specifically in its police department. The city has cut over one quarter of its police jobs, which has led to a "surge in murders," and has created an "emboldened criminal element" in the city.
According to police spokesman Joe Silva, the city has had 87 murders since the start of 2011, 29 of which have already occurred this year. In contrast, there were 35 murders in 2009 and 48 in 2010. With six months left in the year, there have already been more murders in the city since the start of 2011 than the two-year stretch of 2009-2010.
Further cuts to the police department would likely only worsen the issue, so filing for bankruptcy after already having cut 40 percent of its city's employees was the only option, according to Mayor Ann Johnston.
“We have hit the wall; we are insolvent,” said Mayor Ann Johnston. "Citizens will not be affected. We will still have police and fire departments and we will still operate and pay our bills to vendors."
While the city still has police officers, the dramatic decrease in the department has certainly not helped the crime rate. It certainly seems like citizens have been affected.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Hi PapaBear3625,
Can you tell me where I may learn of the DNC control of the council?
I bet the majority are Dims.
Thank you
You jest!
I grew up in an area just 45 miles from Stockton, up in Amador county in the 1950s(graduated 1959). My cousin lived in Stockton and went to high school there, I visited her frequently(she knew a lot of Stockton girls)on weekends. Stockton had an extremely high crime rate even then, and you had to watch out for bands of roving Mexicans(Pachukos)who would jump on you and beat the sh** out of you for no other reason than you were white. You must have seen a different Stockton than the one I remember.
I was raised in Stockton and lived there for over twenty years. Left in 1979. Most of my family (parents, siblings) still live there. Sad day.
If Stockton laid off *one* cop in order to save *one* bureaucrat’s job, the city council members (or Manager, whatever the form of government Stockton has) should be personally sued by the families of the murder vics.
I’ve never visited CA so I don’t know much about those towns and cities.
Heheheh - I used to love "The Big Valley". Lee Majors was HOT!
My family lives up and down the Central Valley. They’ve always called Stockton the “armpit” of California.
My family lives up and down the Central Valley. They’ve always called Stockton the “armpit” of California.
I’ve heard the same thing about Bakersfield.
Of course. - It is De Facto bankrupt.
I couldn't agree more with your points.
omg....
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