Oakland votes to lay off 80 police officers

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 6/25/10 | Matthai Kuruvila, Chronicle Staff Writer

[SmithL]

The Oakland City Council voted Thursday to lay off 80 of the Police Department's 776 officers as it slashed at a $30.5 million budget deficit. The decision could be rescinded if the police union agrees to pension concessions.

Council members would like the officers to contribute 9 percent of their salaries toward their CalPERS pension, the same as every other city union worker.

Union leaders and city officials are set to negotiate Sunday and Monday, a move some interpreted as a sign the union was willing to change its position.

"I'm confident that we can have an agreement by July 15," said Councilwoman Jean Quan, who voted for the measure, which passed 5-3. "No one cancels their weekend unless they plan to negotiate."

Sgt. Dom Arotzarena, the union president, would only say, "It's not over yet."

The union was under relentless attack all night from council members and a wide range of speakers, who called it a matter of fairness that the police union be treated like the other city unions.

[SmartInsight]

Isn’t Oakland a major crime area? They should be doubling their police force, not laying off policemen.

They obviously don’t have their priorities straight.

[TSgt]

who called it a matter of fairness that the police union be treated like the other city unions.

Our local police are crying too. But what about public safety?!

Easy, take the cars that have time to run radar and use them for said public safety.

[Jubal Harshaw]

Perhaps they figure that after the riots that may follow the Mehserle verdict, there won’t be as much of Oakland to police anymore.

[YankeeReb]

Is Oakland a sanctuary city by any chance? If so MAYBE reversing this policy and cutting benefits to illegals MIGHT save a few bucks. Just sayin’

[SmartInsight]

I looked it up:

“Today crime remains one of Oakland’s most serious challenges, and Oakland continues to have a reputation among its own citizens, its police force, and residents of other Bay Area cities as a dangerous place, with one of the top five highest rates of violent crime in the US

120 murders recorded in 2007 made Oakland’s murder rate third highest in California, behind Richmond and Compton; however, Oakland suffered rape and robbery rates per capita that were almost twice those of Richmond and Compton, making Oakland’s violent crime rate the highest overall.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland,_California#Crime

[eyeamok]

Gun Control in action, seems to work pretty good for criminals.

[BradtotheBone]

If so MAYBE reversing this policy and cutting benefits to illegals MIGHT save a few bucks. Just sayin’

Wish it was that easy. Unfortunately, the courts struck down Prop 187 years ago. It was passed into law for this very reason.

[Seamus Mc Gillicuddy]

Gee.... I wonder if, since they’re going to lay off 80 cops, will that mean they’ll issue 80 CCW’s to law abiding citizens? Hmmmmmmm....well, in a city that doesn’t have one licensed firearms dealer, I’m not going to hold my breath. Idiots.

[Vendome]

If there was ever a case to made for keeping a city filled with Blues and Badges, Oakland would be the template.

This crime filled city can’t afford to lose on officer and should actually be looking to hire more.

[Kenny Bunk]

since they’re going to lay off 80 White Male cops

[mbynack]

Fire the cops - but keep the mayer’s limo and double his personal staff. Keep the city counsel’s fact finding trips to Hawaii to study global warming.