BILLS OPINION:
Heard on the Street
By William E. Cleary
It was announced at the meeting of the Small Business Association on September 28 that beginning in November extra police will be patrolling the business district during the period of high crime. The program is expected to run for one year. The cost to pay the police overtime is about $27,000.
The City’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) will fund $21,000 of that amount while the City taxpayers will pick up the remaining cost.
There has been no report of any incidences of burglaries or robberies published in the Gloucester City News in weeks. Nor has there been a statement broadcast on the City’s owned Cable Channel 19 to be careful, as there has been an increase in the amount of burglaries. Nor has a notification about a crime spree been posted on City’s Website. Moreover, I don’t recall reading about an increase in crime in the City owned newsletter.
Therefore, the obvious question to ask before the program is implemented, “If there is an increase in crime why hasn’t the public been told so we could take precautions?” We have all heard rumors about a break-in occurring somewhere in our neighborhoods but we never read about it in the local paper
Is someone trying to hide what crimes are being committed because it is close to November? Meaning those running for office would look bad in the eyes to the electorate. How foolish of an idea that would be. Alternatively, could it be someone thinks a crime spree would give the City a bad image and discourage people from buying a new home at Meadowbrook?
I hope that isn’t the reason. Stupid as it may sound it has happened in the past.
Nevertheless, something just doesn’t sound right. Pay police overtime. If overtime is warranted, tell the public why.
Former Police Chief Steve Farrell and former Police Chief Ted Howarth always welcomed the NEWS reporter on Monday. They or one of their subordinates would go over each crime that occurred in the past week one at a time. Moreover, if the reporter wasn’t able to pickup the summary it was hand delivered to the NEWS office.
I don’t oppose paying police overtime. I oppose paying overtime and not being told why the extra money is being spent.
NOTE: The opinions expressed are mine. My thoughts do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gloucester City News or its publisher, Albert Countryman.
