[Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police Union StandNot a Conflict

[g. crabtree]

First name familiarity and approachability are charming concepts but I 
really do not see how they out weigh the negatives of the union or even 
enhance law enforcement in the community in any appreciable way. (this isn't 
Detroit or Newark after all) Perhaps it would be good if you did go on a bit 
longer because the only picture I get is of my tax bill going through the 
roof and nothing of substance to show for it, except a fatter union and big 
grins on a couple of councilmen.

gc
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "'g. crabtree'" <jampot at adelphia.net>; "'Moscow Vision 2020'" 
<vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 7:28 PM
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police Union 
StandNot a Conflict


> One MAJOR problem that the Moscow Police Department is experiencing is 
> lack
> of continuity.  After a year officers tend to pack up and move to "greener
> pastures", primarily due to wages/salaries that are not competitive (here 
> in
> Moscow) with other comparably-sized community police departments.
> Ultimately this results in loss of quality police officers.
>
> Establishing a police union will ensure the rights and privileges for our
> police department; rights and privileges that have up until just recently
> received nothing more than lip service from our city council.
>
> Once continuity is established, the community becomes familiar with 
> members
> of its police force.  The community gains first name familiarity with the
> officers responsible for protecting its streets.  This level of 
> familiarity
> breeds a relationship where police officers become very approachable.
>
> I could go on and on about how such a relationship benefits the
> neighborhoods, but I am sure you get the picture already.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "If not us, who?
> If not now, when?"
>
> - Unknown
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: g. crabtree [mailto:jampot at adelphia.net]
> Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 6:58 PM
> To: Tom Hansen; Moscow Vision 2020
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Stout Not Wrong n Union Support / Police Union
> StandNot a Conflict
>
> Ray writes a fine letter as far as it goes. The question I have yet to see
> answered satisfactorily is how is a unionized police force is good for the
> city and by extension the citizens? It's easy to see that it will be good
> for the union. More dues. It will be good for politicians who support it.
> More contributions. It might be good for the police. More wages and
> benifits, perhaps. But good for the people of Moscow as a whole? That 
> hasn't
>
> been established by any stretch of the imagination. In fact its not too 
> hard
>
> to envision several negative outcomes that will be brought about by union
> recognition not the least of which will be greatly increased costs.
>
> gc
>
>
>