ONE SIMPLE WAY TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY

For what it's worth, I personally wasn't the least bit freaked out by the stagehands' strike, and nobody I know was acting as if this were Pearl Harbor II.

I don't think it's entirely accurate to compare the stagehands' strike and the police officers' situation this directly. Strikes are a very effective attention-grabbing tactic as well as a way to force the other side's hand that cops just aren't able to use. The city would rapidly descend into chaos if the NYPD went on strike. If only more people would really think about it in those terms maybe the public would be more engaged about this!

The police officers need to figure out how to better get the word out about their contract situation. How exactly to do that when they're unable to strike is a tough question -- I'm certainly stumped -- but that's going to be key if they really want to sway public opinion on this and motivate people to support them. It would be great if a good p.r. firm would offer to work pro bono for them or something.

In the meantime, what can people here be doing to help? Letters to Kelly, what? I sure as hell would like to see better salaries for cops.

Check out the link to the Crown Heights Writes site. There are three letter options, and each of them go into some detail about supporting better salaries for the police. You don't even have to write the letter, just sign it and mail it to the Crown Heights Coalition. They even offer on their site to pick them up. The idea is to flood the desks of Kelly, Bloomberg, and other state and local officials.
The logic behind underpaying any employee that is so indispensable that they aren't allowed, by law, to strike, is almost feudal, right? I would imagine that one takes a job that has such strictures with a sort of good faith in their hearts that their work will be honored and they won't be taken advantage of by the great Municipal powers that be. Even the retiring pay is way too little for this city.
My neighbor and I met an officer who was patrolling the 79 and the 81 as a part of the CPOP initiative this summer. He and his partner were assigned wherever they were needed. He informed us that the only beat cop programs left are in the 73 and the 75 in East New York and BRownsville. And guess what, this sharp, amiable, smart young man had just been recruited by the LAPD at a starting salary of between 40 and 50K a year. I don't remember the figure, but it was well above the 25 he was being paid to walk our neighborhoods.
This city is hemorrhaging police and seriously disgruntling the officers who remain committed to their jobs and this city.
People, sign the letter. More guys and gals on foot here would make a huge impact. It's all written for you. You can even add to it. All you have to do is drop it in the mailbox.
Is there anyone out there with press contacts and/or PR experience who could take up the cause? I think an article comparing the response to the stagehand strike and say, the MTA strike, or a potential NYPD strike is a great idea.
If you've been on this board complaining about crime in the area and/or police response (as I have),the least you can do is sign a letter asking for more and better policing and the support the police need to do their jobs.
This is a huge precinct and it needs our support.

Thanks for the clarification, ParadeRest.
Just furthers my point that the system as it now operates is untenable at best and, really, feudal. Maybe with some community involvement we can prevent it from becoming futile.

"After the city failed to bargain in good faith the PBA filled an impass with the Public Employment Relations Board. PERB agreed that the PBA and the city were unable to reach an agreement and thus a PERB hearing commenced. The results of the PERB decision are final and binding."

Yes, meaning YOUR leaders failed. You can blame the city, but your negotiators agreed to arbitration AFTER they couldn't broker a deal, plain and simple. Now you're singing the blues about the result. We NEED the police, no question. And they ARE woefully underpaid, considering the difficulty of the job. But to say no one in NYC cares or that hey are "virtually ignored" is a little much.

When both sides walk out feeling like they lost, the decision is generally a fair one.

Just saying...

"Guest, nobody failed. There are times in history when two entities can not see eye to eye. If humans could always agree on every issue, we wouldn't have civil or family courts. Neighbors wouldn't need to call the police because of noise issues, fences that are too high or being "disrespected." Contract disputes are often settled in arbitration and both sides walk out feeling like they lost something. That's life."

I repeat: YOUR leaders FAILED. Arbitration isn't the final resort in EVERY situation. Sometimes, creative leaders emerge to bridge differences and reach a deal that works for everyone, or most everyone. Neighbors don't ALWAYS call the cops when facing noise issues, fences that are too high or being "disrespected," ParadeRest. More often than not, wiser heads prevail and people figure a way to work things out. Clearly, that didn't happen for you guys. Why? I think there's a sense of entitlement in play here that's revealed in your attitude. Blaming others for you own leaders' failure to devise some way to ensure cops are paid appropriately isn't something you can pin on the public. Accept some responsibility and stop blaming your situation on everyone else.

Oh, and I WILL sign and mail the letter. So you can relax now, Lucille.

Not to go back and forth on a wage topic. But the reality is, that there is a serious crisis facing the City! No other job is having a recruitment problem. With the NYPD dealing with low staffing issues never seen before. Crime is slowly on the rise once again. If you look at the Crime Stats for Brooklyn North alone it's has become quite evident. The 77 precinct has 55 shooting victims for 2007, of which, quite a few are under the age of 18. One of which was even 3 year old girl. The Precinct Commanders would love to put Beat Cops on every corner, but the reality is that theres barely enough Cops to man the patrol cars. With the shortage of Police, the demands made on the Dept are still the same if not greater following 9/11. Everyday cops are sent to 11 Metrotech for security. They are sent to Manhattan for Surge drills. They are sent to numerous details and events around the City, including the Broadway strike. The remaining Police are worn out, trying to get a day off to spend with your family, is virtually impossible. After 3 years with out a Contract, Morale is at an all time low. The Recruits presently in the Academy will not even be able to replace the veteran officers that have retired this year. With the Contract settlement nowhere in sight, the City will once again be faced with a shortage of officers to fill the Police Academy.
I commend all those who want to do something about this problem, and I can't emphasive how serious this Public Safety issue has become. I would encourage all concerned members of the Community to support their Police Force and in turn, demand the same from their Officers.

I sent mine in yesterday. if anyone needs some printed out, let me know.

Way to go Guest! Way to go Alafairnadia!

I dropped mine off last night!! It's great to see such unity.

Since the deadline for sending in letters has now passed (they wanted them sent in by Friday), I'm going to go ahead and un-sticky this. Hope lots of y'all sent one in!