"There are actually 5,879 fewer city cops than in 2000, partly due to the nearly 90 percent Bush cuts in Bill Clinton's COPS programs. Even with the post-9-11 invention of homeland security funding, NYC is getting $61 million less in federal public-safety subsidies than it did before our cops became America's front line. Bush's 2005 budget proposes even more cuts. Though most conventioneers would prefer to forget it, George W. Bush has slashed the troop strength that host committee hero Rudy Giuliani put on duty."
I read the first paragraph and after taking a moment to stop laughing, I decided to answer.
Crime is down by over 40% in NY over the last four years. Times Square has been cleaned up and the city is once again flourishing after the tragic events of 9/11.
The cops are whining about how they need a raise. Sure, give them a raise. In exchange, the police should sit down with the city and suggest where it should make cuts in order for the cops to get a raise.
Clinton bloated the municipalities unions and expected the rest of the country to pay for it. If the city cannot afford it then they shouldn't have it. I will tell you how police can earn more money and save the city money in the process:
1. Give every cop a 25% pay raise starting on Monday.
2. On Monday the police will fund their own 401k.
3. The police will pay their own health insurance.
4. The police will have 1 month vacation, 5 sick days and 2 personal days.
5. There will be no carrying over of sick or vacation time. Use it or lose it.
6. If a police officer does well and hits his tests, promote him with pay. If he doesn't, fire him. Mediocrity cannot live in the police force. Leads to cops going bad due to lack of incentive.
This should be good enough for any muni union.
The next two weeks will be interesting to watch.........Stay safe !