KCBS News Rpt: Vallejo Cuts PD to the Bone, Residents Want CCWs

[Paladin]

Be sure to listen to the 48 sec audio clip, which is different from the below, at:

http://www.kcbs.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4237703

In that audio clip, some unidentified "Know-Nothing" asserts that issuing more CCWs will increase crime and that will require even more police. Of course, the reporter does not challenge that statement even though in every state that has passed Shall Issue, violent crime rates subsequently decrease.

http://www.kcbs.com/More-Cuts-for-Vallejo-PD/5910157

Cuts to Police Force in Vallejo Worries Many Residents


VALLEJO, Calif. (KCBS) -- Some residents of bankrupt Vallejo may be looking to protect themselves after the city continued with the layoff of police officers yesterday. The number of applications for concealed weapons permits has doubled this year.

Seven officers lost their jobs on Tuesday, and another 15 could be laid off in July, the start of the next fiscal year. That would bring Vallejo's police force down to 90, for a city of 125,000.

"The crime levels in Vallejo are similar to Oakland, and actually our crime rate is higher than Richmond, and they have about twice as many officers as we have. The City of Oakland has a little over 800 officers," said Vallejo Police Lt. Abel Tenorio.

Because of this, he's seen the number of applications for concealed weapons permits double in the last year.

It's still under a dozen, but the process is an expensive and lengthy one that residents clearly feel is now worth it.

"Obviously they're concerned for their safety with the lack of visible officers out on the street," said Tenorio. "They want to do it legally if they can, carry a concealed weapon when they're out and about in the city."

With fewer officers, he says residents will have to wait up to six hours before an officer can respond to a home burglary, and as far as investigating those crimes, they're not a priority anymore.

[Vinz]

My co worker lives there and he hopes for something to come up he thinks Vallejo is in deep do do.

I asked him how about a volunteer police force? He believes the Sheriff or CHP would take over if it came down to it.

vinz

[bigcalidave]

6 hours to respond to a burglary? Investigating not a priority? What's the point? Are the cops in vallejo reduced to simply driving around and trying to stop people from shooting eachother in the streets? Why even have police if they can't do anything anymore! I hope the people that live there figure this situation out quick. How is it acceptable for them to have an expensive / hard to get CCW and no police... I thought solano county was impossible to get a CCW in anyways..

Anyone who lives there should just leave.

[Unit74]

Property crimes are not priority. Simple as that. The deed has been done. Stuff is gone and there is n't a damn thing that can be done "right now." It can and will have to wait.


Crimes against persons do take priority. And from the sounds of the article, they have a crime wave of priority calls.

[mecam]

6 hours to respond to a burglary?

I hope that's not the case if Triple A Gun Shop gets broken into.

[CCWFacts]

Why even have police if they can't do anything anymore!

Exactly. It's hard to see the point of even having 90 cops in Vallejo. At some point, they are so few in number that they're irrelevant.

I hope people there start suing the city over CCW issuance. The city can't afford to fight those lawsuits.

How is it acceptable for them to have an expensive / hard to get CCW and no police...

Nothing about CCW has any connection to common sense or public safety in California.

[cortayack]

I heard the police taping people on Columbus Street today......I believe thats where their priority is........giving tickets!

[DRM6000]

that is nuts. only 90 officers for 125,000 residents?

the city i work in, san rafael, has 55,000 residents and the last officer i talked to said there are over 80 officers in the dept. plus, the crime rate is nothing compared to vallejo.

i feel bad for the residents of vallejo. what can they do?

[GuyW]

i feel bad for the residents of vallejo. what can they do?

...roll over and die like good peasants....meanwhile, their ever-so-smart social betters will continue mucking up the city....
.

[Purple K]

Equally as serious is that they've reduced the number of Firefighters in Vallejo by more than 50% since their budget problems started. Fires and medical emergencies won't wait more than a few precious minutes. But it's all O.K. for the dirtbags that still get their "gubment" checks every month.

[Paladin]

I heard this news story on KCBS while driving this afternoon. Actually, they aired two different versions: a long one and a short one. After reading the article and thinking about the aired stories, one thing struck me: in none of them does the PD rep express anti-CCW sentiments. I wonder if Vallejo will accept self-defense or something just slightly above (the good ol' "avid shooter" category ), as acceptable GC given the lack of LE resources. This might be something worth investigating, esp if you live in Vallejo.

If, in the unlikely case that something major doesn't change before then (e.g., the sheriffs office takes over Vallejo LE duties), Vallejo would be a prime candidate to target w/pro-CCW fliers, etc after a Sykes win.

[GuyW]

Equally as serious is that they've reduced the number of Firefighters in Vallejo by more than 50% since their budget problems started. Fires and medical emergencies won't wait more than a few precious minutes. But it's all O.K. for the dirtbags that still get their "gubment" checks every month.

??

Ummm, as I recall, Vallejo is in financial trouble because the City Council agreed to overpay police and firemen, as to direct salary and pension benefits.....is that your understanding?

Also, cities don't typically pay welfare costs....

....so, who are the dirtbags getting gubmit checks??

.

[The Director]

I'm loving that 25 year old picture of a cop car they dug up....mid 80s Crown Vic...is that the best they could do???? Sheesh. What reporting.

[MidnightSon117]

Could have been worse, Plymouth Reliant, anyone?

[Steyrlp10]

I'm not happy for the cops or firemen in my town. They have a hard enough job to do, so it doesn't help when politics are thrown into the mix.

We've had a new City Manager almost annually, so that will give you an idea of how well the Council understands simple math. I always thought that if you have $XXX, you shouldn't spend $XXXXXXXXXX. My neighbors and I did the best we could at the voting polls, but I'm sure you know how that went...

As for crime, I'm glad I know how to shoot if I have to protect my family while some of the other people on the block will wait patiently as sheeple, hoping the response time of the VPD is good on that day...