LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Firefighters Respond To City Council’s Police Cuts
Dear Des Moines City Council Members,
As firefighters of South King Fire & Rescue, we have concerns about public safety and potential service delays for the Citizens of Des Moines. South King Fire & Rescue serves fire and emergency medical services for the cities of Des Moines, Federal Way and a small area of unincorporated King County. For decades, King County Fire District #26 (Des Moines Fire) and the Des Moines Police Department have enjoyed a close working relationship–something which is not common in a lot of jurisdictions. Three years ago, King County Fire District #26 merged with Federal Way Fire, creating South King Fire & Rescue. After the merger we have been able to continue this close working relationship. Our relationship creates a more cohesive, efficient and safe working environment out on the streets of Des Moines, ultimately making a safer community for our citizens.
A staffing reduction in the Police Department is a concern to us and should be a concern to the City Council and Citizens of Des Moines. Our #1 priority is the citizens we serve and time is of essence when mitigating emergencies. The level of service provided and the safety of our community hangs in the balance. Firefighters are severely handicapped if we are not safe while doing our job and if we enter an unsafe scene. Potentially, we could become part of the problem and not be able to help our citizens. By cutting Police staffing, a ripple effect could delay our services. There are a number of situations (i.e. – violent crimes, assaults, domestic violence, overdoses and suicides to name a few) where the Fire Department doesn’t enter the scene until Police go in first and verify it is safe for the Fire Department to enter. By reducing staffing in the Police Department, our response times to such scenes could be significantly delayed, thus delaying the Fire Department’s ability to enter a scene and mitigate an emergency in a timely matter.
Reducing Police staffing could have a significant impact on the health and safety of the Citizens of Des Moines. We encourage you to reconsider your decision to reduce Police staffing. We need, at the very minimum, to keep current staffing levels to maintain a safe Community which the Citizens of Des Moines deserve!
Respectfully,
Scott Ervin
Vice President
South King County Professional Firefighters
IAFF Local #2024
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I would like to know how much of a tax increase would be needed to keep these officers. I realize this is unpopular, but revenues are down and the cost of the officers needs to be covered in some way. My thought is that many of us would be more than willing to pay a little more to keep the police force at it’s current levels. We agreed to pay more for the Ranier Pool, didn’t we? Surely public safety is also a priority. If we all paid a little more, maybe we could generate the funds for this purpose.
I know that taxes are unpopular, but I think most people forget that by paying taxes we all reap the benefits of our government services, which are especially needed in this difficult economic climate.
Kristie,
You raise a valid point but before we look at a new tax for police staffing we must look at some history. You might be aware of the Police Levy passed some years ago to fund the police department and pay for additional officers. Sounds like a great way to pay for extra cops right? Well not so fast you see the City and its brain trust of elected officials and city manager CUT the police budget by about the same amount that the new levy was to bring in. The net effect is ZERO.
The hard truth here is this, the past and more importantly the current council is not taking care of business as it should. the police department NEED’s to be fully funded before say…Parks that’s right parks is ahead of the police department in funding. Our “Waterland City” is slowly turning into a ghetto.
IF the right direction was taken it could be turned around. Redevelopment of the downtown core is key, things like allowing a public/private partnership to work towards that end would greatly improve the city. Funny thing about the city council…one member lives above Marine View Drive so when the idea of redevelopment pops up guess what he might say about lifting height restrictions to commercial buildings? Or another member who owns no real property in the city-he rents, think he has a real vested interest in the city?
So by now you and others must be asking what do this have to do with Police? It has everything to do with it. Taxes are paid from all of the property and business owners, those tax dollars go to pay for city services. Smart money would be to improve the blighted city we all live in and collect new revenue.
Those on the council don’t get it, its time for “out of the box” thinking, building a new jail in the city is hardly improvement. The city is about to become the dumping ground for several cities garbage. The city spent countless $$$ fighting the Port of Seattle for years on the third runway and lost…now they and others are partners in a new jail to be built on Port property with in the city limits.
I work directly with the police in this city, I have seen one of their finest get murdered in cold blood from gang members. Gangs? what us here in Des Moines? Yep we have a fine group of scum living among us. Oh by the way a good bit of them live in an area that was to be redeveloped but the council fought over tax concessions for the developer so long the entire thing is all but dead. I can promise this to everyone who cares to listen, cuts in police service will endanger everyone in this city, make no mistake.
I would urge those that are truly concerned about this city, to vote those now in office out during the next round of city council elections. We have an unpolished gem of a city, the problem is that you cant polish some of the turds on the council.
Well said Dave. I recently spent a fair amount of time reading about budget problems in Renton, Kent, and Federal Way. The difference is that all of their mayors/city managers came out and said public safety is their number 1 issue and they made no cuts to their police or fire departments. It’s funny, our council looks at this exactly opposite as these other SUCCESSFUL cities and they put parks before police. I can’t wait for the next election to get rid of the rest of the losers that voted for this budget.
One other thing I find ironic is that for those that were just campaigning for their coucil seats, all but Carman Scott said public safety was their number 1 priority. Typical how they keep a campaign promise. By the way, I believe Carman put public safety second behind the parks…..stupid but at least she’s keeping her campaign promise.
Thank you for the history lesson. We purchased a home here recently and are not aware of all the history, but I also think that the immediate situation needs attention. Although I personally would keep height restrictions, I do agree that we need more business develpment. However, that is a future plan and is not going to solve the immediate crisis. And concessions to businesses mean that the ability to impact the situation would be even further in the future.
So we are back to the immediate problem: Five police officers will be gone from the Des Moines Police Department if we do not raise the funds to cover their salary. How much would it cost each property owner to cover that cost? Are we talking thousands of dollars each or a small amount like the pool? I suspect that most people would be willing to pay to retain the current level of funding for both Police and for the Parks and Recreation Department, as they both provide excellent services to our community.
Kristie: I don’t think the cost would be very much. As I recall, the current law enforcement levy provides about $1.5 million a year and I believe the cost to the average homeowner is about $100 (I think). I’m sure you could contact city hall and they could tell you the amount. The projected cost saving for the 5 officers being laid off is $500,000.
Kristie: We all as tax payers should expect our dollars are spent wisely by those that collect them.
For me Police is the priority, Parks are nice to have sure, but should they get funding ahead of police in a funding crises like this?
In the short term what can be done? Passing a new levy or bond takes time, these cops are on the way out the door anytime now. Five cops really doesn’t tell the entire tale.
There are unfunded and non filled positions as well as the five on the chopping block. As I recall the real number of lost positions will be more like 8-10 spots. I’m pretty sure that’s about 25% of the departments staffing.
I would hope that the council would redirect the cuts to reflect a more in tune with reality approach.
I’m not at all in favor of tall buildings downtown but there can and should be middle ground on redevelopment. For what its worth, a few years ago as a project for what I think was a UW architectural class they came up with a plan for Des Moines.
It was shown off at the Farmers Market,very cool…but it just went away, too bad. I own two homes in Des Moines and like Jack I think its time to clean house on the council. Care to run with Jack and I?
I have but two questions:
1. If all of you (and others, it is reasonable to assume) are so concerned now about police staffing and public safety locally and having the revenue to avoid cutting cops, where were you and why weren’t you coming to Des Moines City Council meetings to make your voices heard in support of the police budget BEFORE final approval of the 2010 city budget?
2. Why didn’t you get involved and organize a public show of support equal to or even larger than the near-spontaneous outcry that erupted when just the mere mention of cutting Parks and Rec was made?
This city council has had to cut about $3 million from the city’s general fund in less than two years. I, too, support well-staffed police services. But council members, whether they made the best decisions or not, were faced with limited options this time around. And ultimately, the blame is not on them: “The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in the stars but with ourselves.”
Again, where were you when your voices needed to be heard? In almost 10 years of observing Highline cities, I never cease to be amazed: some years, the combined number of people who attend and speak at all public hearings and other meetings where annual budgets are discussed in Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park, and Burien combined can be totalled with the fingers on one hand.
Good government demands more from all citizens at all levels.
Well said. The meetings were extremely empty when it came to the cops budget. When parks and rec were on the chopping block, people were sitting on the floor. Even kids, got up to speak and tell council to save parks so they have activities to participate in.
I can’t believe it, but again I’m going to have to agree with Ralph on some of his points! If I understand this correctly we are dumb and not informed! It’s our fault that we’re working to hard to keep our jobs while others are too busy trying to find work instead of paying close attention to what those Town council folks were doing to our #1 priority!
Now I won’t be haggling over old news and maybe even who might have threatened who, but, in my newly educated opinion, is it really wise to cut cops now, or is it smarter to spend some of that savings money they talked about having spent in earlier years when they were short handed. I know that’s what I do with my savings when I’m short handed.
I know our Town lost a cop some time ago, and sadly two other near enough Towns lost some cops just a month ago. Now I’ve heard just yesterday our cops had to take someone’s life. How much more dangerous should it get before our Town council wakes up, just like they did when those park’s folks showed up. I’m concerned and confused how Ralph measures recreation to life and death decisions.
If Jack is right, then that should be about $30- $40 per home. Maybe I have spent too much time in elementary schools, and this may sound very silly, but is it possible to create a fund, maybe a sort of “Support Our Police Officers” fund to pay the salaries for this year? Even if we were not successful, the fact that we tried might make a difference. And we need to be sure that we shop and eat out more in Des Moines in 2010 to raise revenues for 2011.
I also think Ralph is right. We need to voice our concerns. But again, as an educator, I would remind you that the police fight current crime. Parks and Recreation Programs provide a sense of community and belonging that reduces future crime. Children who are involved in sports programs and community events are less likely to get into the trouble that happens when they are left to fend for themselves while parents work. Yes I know that many people say “well, parents shouldn’t work..” but if you have a child and you have to pay bills, your options are limited.
The thing my husband and I love about Des Moines is the small town feeling. To us that means the feeling that people know and care about one another. It was amazing the other night at the Argosy Christmas event. I think that by working together we can solve the problems that face us.
I will try to watch the Blog emails for announcements about future council meetings and make time to attend and learn more about the issues facing our community.
Thank everyone for providing additional information about this topic and may everyone have a wonderful Holiday.
I think Kristie has a great idea. I would absolutely be willing to help with a fund to keep the police officers. I wouldn’t know where to begin to get something like this started but if anyone has any ideas that would be great!
If we as a community choose to do nothing than the city council will make all of our choices for us and our community will decline more than it already has.
Kristie summarizes well the quandry faced by the Council: police fighting crime vs. recreation programs that can prevent crime. Agree or disagree with their decision, the revenue shortfall was extreme this year (about $2 million). And city residents in numbers demanded that parks and rec be spared the budget axe; the police received only tepid support (in terms of numbers). There was no support for a tax increase, nor without another levy lid lift would one above 1percent have been possible under state law.
Union Gal says, “I’m concerned and confused how Ralph measures recreation to life and death decisions.” I, in turn, am concerned and confused about how she can interprest my statement of what happened as a “measure” of life and death or anything else. As noted above, agree or disagree with the council’s decision, city residents through their public demonstrations of support appeared to side in much larger numbers with parks than with police. That is not a statement of preference nor is it a measurement. It is a quantifiable fact. Then again, facts too often seem to confuse or otherwise inconvenience Union Gal and others in her corner.
Her excuse that some of us work or are looking for work, in addition to all the other demands of daily life, is a pathetic excuse for not paying closer attention to the police budget cut before the fact – especially since Union Gal et al are well known for getting involved (usually quite vocally and often ill informed) when they are self-motivated to do so.
The proposed police fund sounds like a good idea – certainly, if it can gain momentum, it will show the police department that community residents solidly support them. And with a reduced force, perhaps it will encourage some to volunteer with the department and to join Block Watch efforts to enhance community crime prevention with fewer cops on the streets.
Ralph: I think before you start making recommendations as to how to cure this problem you should study and learn some facts. Block Watches and volunteers don’t intervene in criminal activity, they merely report it. It won’t do much good for them to repot it when there are not cops to respond and resolve the problem. Follow some of your own advice the you give Union Gal!!!