Police overtime budget cuts (Boston: condo, crime, how much)

[msRB311]

What are your thoughts on Boston police overtime being cut as crime has been increasing in the area over the past year or so?

https://www.boston.com/news/local-ne...ded-for-budget

Not to mention that anytime there is a riot, protest or people are celebrating in the streets this calls for more police OT.

Personally with all that's going on in the world right now I'm not sure why this is such a focus. I don't agree with police abusing overtime but that's not really what's happening here. No matter how much is taken away it will still be possible for cops to do overtime if they want.

Not sure what I think of civilians working construction details. I don't really have a problem with it I guess. In the end I just think things like this are going to deter people from wanting to be a police officer. There's so much negativity pointed at police right now that I can't imagine why anyone would want this career. I think more police are choosing to retire early and take their pension.

[jtolpin]

Im on the police side. Whatever it takes to keep our state safe. If we have to pay overtime, Im all for it.

Sure, its not my budget, per se, though I know it kind of is, but....

My kids are anti-police for their own BLM agenda, iykwim. But Im on the police side. Dangerous Job.

[msRB311]

It can be a dangerous job. I also think it's dangerous the way the media publishes the salaries every year and of course the ones at the top get published and people are like how the hell do cops make this much?! Many of those salaries are high because of law suit settlements or they are of very high ranking police who got OT backpay for some other reason. They are not the norm.

The average police officer makes about 130k and that is because they chose to work about 60 hours a week. There is nothing unfair about it. If they put in the hours that's what they make. I also don't know why there is an attitude from people that a Boston cop should not make 200k a year. Why not? Why should an engineer who sits at a computer for some tech company make 200k a year but a cop should not?

People get all up in arms about their tax dollars. An article I read said the savings would go toward mental health services, trauma and counseling services, programs for minority and women-owned businesses, housing support, and other initiatives. Sorry but maybe I don't want my tax dollars going to programs for minority and women-owned businesses, housing support, and 'other initiatives.' I'm all for mental health services and counseling especially during these times, but we seem to need police as well.

I know a few Boston cops who got injured and retired around 42 and got 80% of their pension and they will get it for the rest of their life. I do kind of question that.

[skeddy]

Originally Posted by msRB311

What are your thoughts on Boston police overtime being cut as crime has been increasing in the area over the past year or so?

https://www.boston.com/news/local-ne...ded-for-budget

Not to mention that anytime there is a riot, protest or people are celebrating in the streets this calls for more police OT.

Personally with all that's going on in the world right now I'm not sure why this is such a focus. I don't agree with police abusing overtime but that's not really what's happening here. No matter how much is taken away it will still be possible for cops to do overtime if they want.

Not sure what I think of civilians working construction details. I don't really have a problem with it I guess. In the end I just think things like this are going to deter people from wanting to be a police officer. There's so much negativity pointed at police right now that I can't imagine why anyone would want this career. I think more police are choosing to retire early and take their pension.

policing needs to change to lower the costs. Less police on the street answering calls. If you have a problem, call the police station and they'll set up an appointment to meet with you and write a report. No different than getting a doctor's appointment. Limit street time to actions that resulted in physical injuries.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by skeddy

policing needs to change to lower the costs. Less police on the street answering calls. If you have a problem, call the police station and they'll set up an appointment to meet with you and write a report. No different than getting a doctor's appointment. Limit street time to actions that resulted in physical injuries.

So if someone's boyfriend is beating them they should call to schedule an appointment? sorry but this makes 0 sense. I also don't think there are many police out on the streets these days.

[GeePee]

Have any of you been following the news in the past 5 years about the gross and widespread fraud of the MSP overtime?
This makes me think not.

[massnative71]

Aren't they pretty understaffed right now, I thought that's what a lot of the OT was due to? If that's the case, I don't see how cutting the OT budget will solve anything.

[jtolpin]

I will assume that there is fraud based on the story. And I would guess people are punching in/out for other people. I get that.

Thats not right, no.

But Im on the polices side, still , for how they protect us.

I do not condone stealing, and those that did it, should have to pay back (or get reprimanded, or something)

But whats the question I guess? Cut overtime? ok. I guess. Hope that things go ok still.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Have any of you been following the news in the past 5 years about the gross and widespread fraud of the MSP overtime?
This makes me think not.

That was MSP not Boston police. Which also makes me wonder why not cut MSP OT budget as well. Or i guess they haven't gotten there yet.

There's just a massive witch hunt to make police miserable right now it seems based on the actions of the bad ones.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Have any of you been following the news in the past 5 years about the gross and widespread fraud of the MSP overtime?
This makes me think not.

Still vaping, bro?