More Layoffs at JSO

[Bridges]

I've never liked the idea that we should feel fortunate cause "look how bad we could have it".  I'd rather not race anyone to the bottom.

[If_I_Loved_you]

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-police-fire-and-dpw-unions-file-motion-for-contempt-against-mayor-who-slashed-salaries-1.1341634  Min Wage for all City Workers in Scanton, Pa.

[Doctor_K]

Thanx, Alvin, you sorry pathetic excuse for a mayor. You're a disgrace to us JU grads!

Is it Alvin's fault?

Or is it the Council's fault?

Or what about the vast majority of the people in Jax with the lovely "Taxed Enough Already" mindset?  Y'know - the ones who elected those first two choices in the first place?

[carpnter]

There are plenty of inefficiencies at JSO that could be addressed to save some money.  It may not be enough to meet the budget constraints but it could reduce the number of positions that need to be eliminated. 

[Scarlettjax]

120 living, breathing taxpaying citizens of our county will be out of work August 24 and on unemployment due to the layoffs.  Not all of these positions are vacancies.  Not sure how this is growing jobs in Jacksonville.

And, when the Community Transistion Center closes, so does the Matrix drug treatment program run by River Region Human Services.  There is no way that agency will be able to absorb the personnel currently running that program without the city contract, so look for layoffs there as well.

The ripple effect of these layoffs spread far and wide. 

[duvaldude08]

Thanx, Alvin, you sorry pathetic excuse for a mayor. You're a disgrace to us JU grads!

Is it Alvin's fault?

Or is it the Council's fault?

Or what about the vast majority of the people in Jax with the lovely "Taxed Enough Already" mindset?  Y'know - the ones who elected those first two choices in the first place?

You know? This is what Jacksonville wanted. We screamed when Peyton raised taxes again, so we asked alvin not. He said he wouldnt. So............where are we now? lol But there are things JSO can do to run more efficent. For example, not sending three police cars when someone is pulled over speeding. As far as the community services officers.. I know one.......THEY DONT DO SHIT. When I asked what he does, he either sits someone parked or drives around all day waiting on a call about an accident, etc etc. So maybe we can do without them. Im not for people losing their jobs, but there are something JSO can do better.

[RMHoward]

Well life is good down here in good ole conservative Clay County (Fleming Island). No cuts here by the good ole boys.  Things run efficient here, a real tight ship for you Navy vets.  The occasional rukus down here is usually caused by escaped gangstas from Duval County (west side mostly, some northside).  Now, they won't have any reason to leave Duval.  Good on ole (deer in the headlights) Alvin.  Cut to the bone.  Make em squeal. Some of them heffers can barely fit in uniforms anyway.

[Timkin]

^

[Scarlettjax]

It's likely the secure drug treatment program at CTC has done more to prevent future crime than any other crime fighting effort, but it is difficult to measure what has been prevented.  Just locking addicts up does absolutely nothing to address their addiction, which they will engage in upon release along with the ancillary crimes necessary to obtain the substance they need. 

Even if we legalized all the now illegal substances tomorrow - and, some do need to be legal, just as one of our most abused substances, alcohol - we would still need treatment options for some of our citizens.  We have far too few of these programs now, and the elimination of one with proven positive effects make no sense.  Or, at least as much sense as laying off people to grow jobs does.

If you, or the ones you love have been ravaged by addiction, having treatment available is often your best and last hope. 

[mtraininjax]

Well life is good down here in good ole conservative Clay County

Thanks to the conservative Clay County, Duval County may get the silly red light cameras too! Thanks Conservatives!

[Timkin]

^another waste of money.  And silly.

[Jax_Spartan]

Raise taxes? Most of the time I find the people that say raise taxes, mean raise the taxes on everyone else (the wealthy, corporations, property owners) but not themselves. Its really easy to sit back and say, "Everyone pay more taxes but me to fix the cities problems." If you are saying raise the taxes on every single person like through a sales tax and you personally would like to pay more taxes, then I will respect your opinion. Otherwise, I just ignore those people.


Also, I believe a large portion of these cuts are from the Community Service patrol. If I had to chose between having a few more community service officers or growing business and reviving downtown, I would chose the latter hands down. The deal with Everbank is an example:

"The relocation will add 8 percent to the workforce downtown, city officials said, and should lead to ripple effects, creating more demands for restaurants, shops and perhaps even housing. “It’s the first step toward the resurgence of downtown,” said Jerry Mallott, executive director of economic development group Cornerstone.

"An incentives agreement with the City and state called for 1,000 jobs to be moved and 200 to be created."

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-12-19/story/everbank-move-1500-workers-downtown-mid-2012#ixzz20vIkqPey

[cityimrov]

So, where did all the money go?  What happened to all the profits the city was reaping in good times?  What did Jacksonville spend it on?  What happened to all the money Jacksonville invested in?  Does this have anything to do with giant floating nuclear reactors? 

[danem]

I'm not sure if the sole answer is throwing more money at the department, but something has to be done to make sure THIS is not allowed to happen again:

http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-07-17/story/saturday-night-flash-mob-takes-over-jacksonville-wal-mart

My big question is this: are the resources of the JSO being utilized to their best? I have no doubt that they work hard, I have to say that because I truly believe it. I'm just wondering if there are more things that can be done in crime prevention for Jacksonville even if there are budget cuts.

[Ralph W]

The limited number of proposed red light cameras are an an expensive, non-revenue generating farce. The City has to share, no, PAY the provider from the proceeds of the fines collected just to have the system. Other locales have already found that the cost of operation severely limits any expected revenue from these cameras. The need to have each and every hit reviewed by a law enforcement officer before assessing fines also takes another body away from the streets where he or she could be doing more for the community.

The sane method of curtailing red light runners and making some cash in the process is to target the areas most prone to violations. Why have a traffic enforcement officer, in his unmarked car, sit in the driveway to the Episcopal sports complex on Atlantic Blvd. waiting for some fool exceeding the speed limit when he could join forces with a spotter at the intersection of University and Atlantic just up the street and reel in some real bucks from the fools running the red light. Somebody has failed Math 101 in this case.