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Utah County deputies may face big cutbacks
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The economic downturn that parts of the country are experiencing now, will not last forever. All you need to do is look at the big cities in the East, and what they are doing. They keep increasing their taxes to make up short-falls, and more people leave to get away from the ever-increasing taxes.
With people having their homes foreclosed on in increasing numbers because they can't make the payment, increasing taxes would push even more people into foreclosure.
The tax increase would only mean a small amount per household, per year. It would be $8 per person, per year, to not lose police services. It is a small amount to pay to not have our crime rate rise. Commissioner White is a thief, and he needs to answer to the taxpayers about where he spent this money we so desperately need right now.
I would rather have the tax increase than lose officers. We have the second highest population, and the lowest tax base in Utah. All the commissioners care about is being re-elected. They don't care about the citizens, just themselves. They need to do what is best for everyone. Their budget went up $60,000 for next year, but EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT suffered severe cuts. They get their pay raise in January, the rest of the employees in July. Take a look at what they are doing, it is WRONG!!
Given that this county hasn't seen a tax hike in 13 years, I'd gladly pay $20-$30 or more a year to keep these guys going. The last place to cut in bad times is law enforcement.
Security is only a word. people need to protect themselves UNTIL the police can get there. Criminals biggest concern is an armed victim. Let's see, I don't think I've ever heard of an armed victim. I've only heard of "victim", unarmed at that.
Perhaps crime will go down if most citizens in good standing were to be armed.
Journalism 101..........
The more I'm around these city and county mtgs. the more I can conclude that the feds. have GOT NOTHING ON THESE GUYS WHEN IT COMES TO spending YOUR money!
Let's suppose that instead of announcing cuts that the Sheriff's office said, "we are adding 30 more people to our task force" I'm certain that the comments would be, "what are they thinking? We don't need more police".
It is disturbing, that as a society, we fail to see the correlation of cause and effect. We already live in a society where peace officers, especially the Utah County Sheriff�s Office, are understaffed, undermanned, and underpaid. Now our elected leaders choose to deplete the ranks and resources of those who protect and serve our communities.
By continuing to limit funding, staffing, and equipment for our police agencies, and jail space for offenders, we as a society will create devastating consequences; the financial costs to replenish what we propose to take will be insurmountable. We will endanger those who serve us, and we will attract criminals to our communities�where we have announced they will have the least chance of getting caught.
$8.00 a year seems like a small price to pay for our continued safety. $16.00 a year would be a sound investment.
For example he might ask for 50 million but get 35 million. This is reported as a 15 million dollar cut. But if last year he actually spent 34 million, it is actually a 1 million dollar increase in his actual money.
This is a game played by all county departments. In reality the Sheriff will make adjustments and everything will be fine. If crime is up in the canyons he will assign more deputies to that area and reduce the deputies needed in low or no crime patrols. That is what will really happen.
Just what are these people trying to pull?
Every where you turn is a cop car
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My thanks goes out to those who work all hours to keep us safe! The phrase, "No one will hurt you, not on my watch!" Comes to mind. The great thing about this country is people if they want can make a difference if they try. Make contact!
Commissioner White - SteveW.UCADM@state.ut.us
Commissioner Anderson - GaryA.UCADM@state.ut.us
Commissioner Ellison - LarryE.UCADM@state.ut.us
As for shifting patrol to troubled areas, you are again flawed. If staff is reduced to only one or two deputies in the South end of the county then thats it. If both are in the canyon because this is a "high crime" area and something occurs in the valley it could be an hour until someone is there. You send one deputy in the "high crime" area and one in the valley then no one is there to back the canyon deputy if he gets in trouble. There's no ploy for money they just want to keep what they had.
More opportunity for lowlifes and criminals to hurt your family and your children. The Commission needs to be accountable for it's spending. The county hasn't increased taxes in 18 years, for the second highest population we have the lowest county income and budget. What gives? Who keeps these people in office? All they seem to care about is their own hundred thousand dollar a year paycheck. They don't care about us, they don't care about keeping you safe. They know people don't like the words tax increase so they stay away from what is needed to keep their cushy job. So much for civil service.
Take away sheriff's deputies and that increases the burden on all the other agencies, local or State Troopers. And when that burden is increased, that means a thinner spread workforce and longer wait times for help to arrive. EVERYONE will feel this if the commission doesn't act to fix the problem. A bandaid is NOT the answer.
(AND WE ARE STILL SHORT......) sounds like way to many deputies are able to find the time to respond to these articles and try and spread the scare tactics.
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