It is no secret that states and cities nationwide are battling the financial demons.
Sarasota, Florida, a resort town more accurately described as a city, has a police department that has lost more than 10 per cent of its force in recent years, largely through attrition without new hires to take the place of those leaving. Fearing that further budget cuts will affect the department to an even greater degree, current and retired Sarasota police officers staged a protest in front of city hall on July 1st.
Sarasota’s city manager has proposed budget cuts in all city departments, including police. So the questions have been raised: Should budget cuts be across-the-board or targeted? Should a recreation department and a police department suffer equal cuts or be treated individually? Should a police department hire new officers, even in these tough times?
Sound familiar? It should. Questions similar to these are being asked in New Jersey, and all across the country. It remains to be seen which states, counties, and municipalities will hit upon the right combination of answers.
