In 1977 the Memphis Police and Fire Departments went on strike after Mayor Wyeth Chandler and the Memphis City Council refused to fairly negotiate their pay and benefits. That strike brought this city to its knees. In fact, other city employees were lining up to join them in the walk out. So City leaders and the Chamber of Commerce came together to find a way to take care of these public servants that put their lives on the line daily for public safety. This morning close to 550 police officers called in sick. There is no way that the Sheriffs Department can actually make up for this kind of gap in protection. They dont know the neighborhoods, they dont know the business owners on the corners, they are not familiar with areas that are hotspots, and they just have no real experience in day to day urban policing. Now you can not blame the Police for walking out. When the City Council pays its legal counsel over $600,000 in less then 10 months, approves a $24 million cost overrun for the most glamorous boat dock on the muddiest river in America, and approves the purchase of a downtown baseball stadium rather than figuring out a way to take care of Police and Fire employees, they deserve a walk out.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:12:29 +0000
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