City Hiring 40 New Police Recruits

Jay wrote:

Let me see if I have this right.
The city is spending over $350 MILLION on a new courthouse yet we don't have the money to fund an adequate police force? Do they really think 40 officers will make even the slightest difference in the crime rate in this city?
The city is willing to hire 40 new officers to help fight crime, yet the school budget is being cut by AT LEAST $80 million? Shouldn't the focus be on educating the youth in this city to prevent crime before it begins?
The city has found the money to hire new police officers but not enough to reinstate the DARE program in the schools which was taken out in 2002. That was an effective way to teach elementary kids about making good decisions before they made it to middle and high school.
This administration has it's priorities completely out of touch with what this city's needs really are.

You are out of touch with reality. The DARE program was cut because it was a "feel good" program which was a pet project of several politicians wives, but was totally ineffective from a cost/benefit perspective and did nothing to keep kids off drugs. Of course 40 new police officers will not eradicate crime, but will at least replace retiring officers and is a step in the right direction. And pumping money into an ailing education system may not be the best answer when the children who need education the most are the ones not attending school. Identifying problem children at highest risk for future antisocial behavior and getting them into an intervention program should be a priority.

Here are some questions for those who think they should do away with cops driving thsir cars off duty.

How many extra manhours and cops will you need to answer the over 200,000 calls off duty cops cops leaving on duty cops to handle more serious calls?

How many more robberies will take place at stores where these off duty officers frequent and park thier cars in the store's parking lots?

How many more car accidents will happen will fewer cop cars on the street? And how many more manhours and cops will you need to work the wrecks caused by speeders, redlight/stop sign runners, etc?

How many more houses will be burglerized because cop cars are not in the neighborhoods?

How much will it cost to secure and protect cop cars driven by officers that live out of county if they leave them in duval? How many mnhours will be wasted by them having to unload and load weapons and other equipment assigned to them if they are not in control of that car while off duty?

Cops pay a fee to work extra jobs to offset the cost of equipment use, even if they don't use the car except to get to the job and back..they are paying to use the cars already.

I think if you look at the off duty car s being used it is a win/win for the cop and the city. Most of the whinners about the cop cars are just picking on the cops without looking and the dollars and cents of the matter.

Terry Jensen wrote:

<quoted text>
Don't blame the SAO. They can't help it that JSO brings them unprosecutable cases.

Unprosecutable cases? Seriously? Do you even know what you are talking about? I have seen many reports (thanks scott!!!) where these people have a rap sheet as long as the bill of rights and yet they have maybe served a total of a year behind bars because the SAO drops the cases pending against them... I don't know what news you watch but the police catch criminals and Harry puts them right back on the streets... thank you for the comment but unless you have something intelligent to say, please do not say anything... it makes you look uneducated and we have enough of those running around here!

Unvarnished Truth wrote:

Here are some questions for those who think they should do away with cops driving thsir cars off duty.
How many extra manhours and cops will you need to answer the over 200,000 calls off duty cops cops leaving on duty cops to handle more serious calls?
How many more robberies will take place at stores where these off duty officers frequent and park thier cars in the store's parking lots?
How many more car accidents will happen will fewer cop cars on the street? And how many more manhours and cops will you need to work the wrecks caused by speeders, redlight/stop sign runners, etc?
How many more houses will be burglerized because cop cars are not in the neighborhoods?
How much will it cost to secure and protect cop cars driven by officers that live out of county if they leave them in duval? How many mnhours will be wasted by them having to unload and load weapons and other equipment assigned to them if they are not in control of that car while off duty?
Cops pay a fee to work extra jobs to offset the cost of equipment use, even if they don't use the car except to get to the job and back..they are paying to use the cars already.
I think if you look at the off duty car s being used it is a win/win for the cop and the city. Most of the whinners about the cop cars are just picking on the cops without looking and the dollars and cents of the matter.

Just how much is that fee the cops pay for the off duty use of these cars?, not a drop in the bucket compared to the wear and tear of sitting on the side of the road all day with A/C running, not to mention the gas, give me a break.

scott1 wrote:

<quoted text>you are obviously an idiot..guess what? speeding is illegal..so therefore they are required to catch them...during these stops they often find drunk drivers, drugs, people with warrants out for them and other kinds of information..let the cops stop pulling people over and one of these people then kills your family member while driving drunk and then you would whine about that..if you dont want to get a speeding ticket, slow down..dont blame the cops...

Obviously your the idiot, this is the same old tired line we hear from cops and politicians, both of whom are looking out for their bottom line (benefits, pensions, raises), if the people ask questions about the waste and lack of competence we see every day, bottom line, Rutherford has increased the Sherrifs office budget by $100,000,000 since taking office, more than double the budget when he took office and what did we get for our money, highest crime rate in the state, what did the cops get, overtime pay, pension increases and raises, I wish cops would just do their job and quit looking for some kind of hero worship status, it is the U.S. Military who deserves that, quit trying to equate yourselves to them.

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
Obviously your the idiot, this is the same old tired line we hear from cops and politicians, both of whom are looking out for their bottom line (benefits, pensions, raises), if the people ask questions about the waste and lack of competence we see every day, bottom line, Rutherford has increased the Sherrifs office budget by $100,000,000 since taking office, more than double the budget when he took office and what did we get for our money, highest crime rate in the state, what did the cops get, overtime pay, pension increases and raises, I wish cops would just do their job and quit looking for some kind of hero worship status, it is the U.S. Military who deserves that, quit trying to equate yourselves to them.

That is from the SAO too! Let's not place the police responsible for all the crime... plus people have the 'no snitch' policy which doesn't help, and I don't know what you know about the pay and pension for police officers, but for what they do for us and how they risk their lives, they really don't make more than the average joe! The military people are heros on a national level, but let me tell you that if I know someone who rapes, robs or murders someone was arrested locally, I am going to sleep better at night! So thank you for the officers that risk their lives for me to sleep better at night!

As for you, go shove your head under your rock! I think that is probably the best place for it to be right now so you don't make any more dumbass comments on here! Thank you and have a lovely day!

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
Obviously your the idiot, this is the same old tired line we hear from cops and politicians, both of whom are looking out for their bottom line (benefits, pensions, raises), if the people ask questions about the waste and lack of competence we see every day, bottom line, Rutherford has increased the Sherrifs office budget by $100,000,000 since taking office, more than double the budget when he took office and what did we get for our money, highest crime rate in the state, what did the cops get, overtime pay, pension increases and raises, I wish cops would just do their job and quit looking for some kind of hero worship status, it is the U.S. Military who deserves that, quit trying to equate yourselves to them.

You have absolutely no idea what it takes to be a police officer in any city. You have no clue the risks they take daily. How dedicated are you at your job? Ever lay your life on the line for piss-poor pay? Every time a police officer stops someone for a routine traffic violation, their life is at risk...they have no idea what they may face when they walk up to that window. Your bitchin' about a police officer using a patrol car for personal use? Consider it part of their "fringe benefits", since their salary suckks! You sound like a prime candidate for the new recruits program...of course, you'd need to grow some 'nads first.

I could never make it as a cop. I would drive around all day and night giving people tickets for not using turn signals. I would get every single one of you that doesnt use turn signals.

Crossing Enemy Lines wrote:

<quoted text>
That is from the SAO too! Let's not place the police responsible for all the crime... plus people have the 'no snitch' policy which doesn't help, and I don't know what you know about the pay and pension for police officers, but for what they do for us and how they risk their lives, they really don't make more than the average joe! The military people are heros on a national level, but let me tell you that if I know someone who rapes, robs or murders someone was arrested locally, I am going to sleep better at night! So thank you for the officers that risk their lives for me to sleep better at night!
As for you, go shove your head under your rock! I think that is probably the best place for it to be right now so you don't make any more dumbass comments on here! Thank you and have a lovely day!

Same old line, they risk their lives every day!!, check out the statistics on dangerous jobs compiled by facts (injuries,deaths), cops and firefighters dont even register, Contruction workers, Store Clerks, Fisherman, even people on a daily commute to work, they all risk their lives every day, but we dont hear the whining and the need for acknowlegement for doing their jobs like we do from cops and firefighters, we in the private sector do our jobs and go about our lives. As far as pensions and benefits go, look at the amount Rutherford spent to increase both of these, are we safer in Jax? not hardly, the city has over $50,000,000 in unfunded obligations for pensions and benifits, I am sure they will shake down the generall public for this in the future. City and State employees need to start contributing to their own retiremt and take pay cuts like everybody else is, quit shaking us down to maintain your lifestyle, suck it up like the rest of us.

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
Same old line, they risk their lives every day!!, check out the statistics on dangerous jobs compiled by facts (injuries,deaths), cops and firefighters dont even register, Contruction workers, Store Clerks, Fisherman, even people on a daily commute to work, they all risk their lives every day, but we dont hear the whining and the need for acknowlegement for doing their jobs like we do from cops and firefighters, we in the private sector do our jobs and go about our lives. As far as pensions and benefits go, look at the amount Rutherford spent to increase both of these, are we safer in Jax? not hardly, the city has over $50,000,000 in unfunded obligations for pensions and benifits, I am sure they will shake down the generall public for this in the future. City and State employees need to start contributing to their own retiremt and take pay cuts like everybody else is, quit shaking us down to maintain your lifestyle, suck it up like the rest of us.

I never said that others don't have dangerous jobs but for you to say that a cops job isn't dangerous is just ignorant of you... My grandfather was a police officer for over 30 years... he would have to serve eviction notices to crackheads and get shot at... pulling someone over to write a ticket when the have a weapon in the car could get you killed... someone who kills someone and is on the run who doesn't want to be caught will do everything in his power to make dam sure he isn't caught... so save your statics... I know that being a drug store clerk is highly dangerous... I am not saying that at all... but you can't sit here and say that if a store clerk gets shot at, they don't want the police to capture the person, so now the person is being chased by cops and they know he is dangerous... Cops have to go when everyone gets to go inside and hide from the bad world...

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
Obviously your the idiot, this is the same old tired line we hear from cops and politicians, both of whom are looking out for their bottom line (benefits, pensions, raises), if the people ask questions about the waste and lack of competence we see every day, bottom line, Rutherford has increased the Sherrifs office budget by $100,000,000 since taking office, more than double the budget when he took office and what did we get for our money, highest crime rate in the state, what did the cops get, overtime pay, pension increases and raises, I wish cops would just do their job and quit looking for some kind of hero worship status, it is the U.S. Military who deserves that, quit trying to equate yourselves to them.

rutherford is not the reason for the skyrocketing crime rate in jacksonville..first off, its the thugs committing the crimes..second, the police arrest people left and right, it is your dear SAO harry shorstein and his lackies that continually release them back into society...even those with violent criminal histories....so be careful where you place the blame...the sao and the people themselves. like i said, slow down and you wont have to worry about paying for the police raises you are pissing and moaning about like a woman with PMS( sorry women)>

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
Just how much is that fee the cops pay for the off duty use of these cars?, not a drop in the bucket compared to the wear and tear of sitting on the side of the road all day with A/C running, not to mention the gas, give me a break.

The fee is $10.00 an hour. That is more than the gas it burns while idling. Once again if people drove with common sense, our presence would not be necessary. The DOT started mandating we be there due to all the accidents in there areas because people drive like idiots through them. I am more scared of being stopped on the interstate than chasing a thug with a gun. Too many drivers fly through construction zones like its no big deal while you have workers less than five feet away. I hate the Dames Point bridge. I have been nearly hit twice while up there helping broken down motorists. There was a patrol car destroyed and a wrecker driver killed several years ago up there by a distracted driver.

Mark wrote:

<quoted text>
Same old line, they risk their lives every day!!, check out the statistics on dangerous jobs compiled by facts (injuries,deaths), cops and firefighters dont even register, Contruction workers, Store Clerks, Fisherman, even people on a daily commute to work, they all risk their lives every day, but we dont hear the whining and the need for acknowlegement for doing their jobs like we do from cops and firefighters, we in the private sector do our jobs and go about our lives. As far as pensions and benefits go, look at the amount Rutherford spent to increase both of these, are we safer in Jax? not hardly, the city has over $50,000,000 in unfunded obligations for pensions and benifits, I am sure they will shake down the generall public for this in the future. City and State employees need to start contributing to their own retiremt and take pay cuts like everybody else is, quit shaking us down to maintain your lifestyle, suck it up like the rest of us.

I don't know where you get your "facts" from. My pension is taken out of my paycheck. I see every other week what they take out. The city does supposedly match it. Of course all that means is money they would be paying me for salary gets redirected to their part of the pension. If you want a better lifestyle get a better job. Thats all it takes. If your lifestyle is so bad that you are whining about what police officers make then you are the one with a problem.

Northside cop wrote:

<quoted text>
The fee is $10.00 an hour. That is more than the gas it burns while idling. Once again if people drove with common sense, our presence would not be necessary. The DOT started mandating we be there due to all the accidents in there areas because people drive like idiots through them. I am more scared of being stopped on the interstate than chasing a thug with a gun. Too many drivers fly through construction zones like its no big deal while you have workers less than five feet away. I hate the Dames Point bridge. I have been nearly hit twice while up there helping broken down motorists. There was a patrol car destroyed and a wrecker driver killed several years ago up there by a distracted driver.

Amen and god bless you! Be safe!!!

Northside cop wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't know where you get your "facts" from. My pension is taken out of my paycheck. I see every other week what they take out. The city does supposedly match it. Of course all that means is money they would be paying me for salary gets redirected to their part of the pension. If you want a better lifestyle get a better job. Thats all it takes. If your lifestyle is so bad that you are whining about what police officers make then you are the one with a problem.

Preach on! It's a thankless job...but thank you!

Our cops do the best that they can with what little they have to work with. It must be very disheartening to know, as a cop, that you have just arrested a POS and then finding out even though he had no business out on the street because he had an arrest record that our wonderful SAO has put him back out on the streets again. Our SAO keeps releasing these thugs over and over because it makes the numbers look better for them. And we all know shorstein is a numbers guy. Thank u JSO for all that u do and u have my prayers and utmost respect.

Sturdivant Slim wrote:

The truth about the police in a 5 minute film. Presented by Michael Moore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
Nothin but racists with a license to kill.

did you just post something by that fat slob anti-american traitor who is in serious need of a shower and expect people to take it serious? my god, you really are daft arent you?

scott1 wrote:

<quoted text>did you just post something by that fat slob anti-american traitor who is in serious need of a shower and expect people to take it serious? my god, you really are daft arent you?

No s#@t. I hate that fat slob and anyone who actually believes the garbage and lies he puts out is more pathetic than he is. Since Moore loves other countries and thinks they r far superior than us I dont know why he dont take his fat stinky azz and live there. And I wish he would take sturdivant and the rest of the Hollywood movie stars with him who hate the USA so bad. What a piece of garbage...

Northside cop wrote:

<quoted text>
Little boy, I gladly go where you would crap your pants to visit. I have walked through Palm Terrace, Washington Heights, Eureka Gardens, and a whole host of other complexes on foot alone hunting thugs. I have been surrounded by angry crowds and shoved my way through them. You wouldn't last five minutes in most of these places without crying for your mommy. I get great joy out of doing my best to get them off the street. I do it even though I know the courts will put them right back out there with a slap on the wrist. Why not instead of whining about what a terrible job we are doing, come and do it. Either you don't have the backbone, required education, or are unwilling to take a pay cut to make this city a little better for everybody. If you know it all come on and man up. All it takes is a four year college degree, 6 months in the Academy followed by 4 months field training. I doubt I will be seeing you out there, but if you decide to try it, best of luck.

Another POS cop with a POS attitude complaining that we are to smart to do his job while he was not smart enough to look for a higher paying job.
JSO is just a bunch of corrupt a@@hols!!

Sturdivant Slim wrote:

<quoted text>
You two idiots did exactly what I expect. Rather than discredit him with something concrete you call him a "slob", "anit- american" and a "piece of garbage". Exactly what has he said that is not true? In that film I cited he showed examples of how blacks were killed for because the police believed they were armed. He cited countless examples like the man who was shot for carrying a newspaper, another for holding a wallet and another for carrying a spatula!!
It's too bad you morons are going out of your way not to recognize what is going on around you. Why the hate for Moore? Because he exposed George Bush, blamed gun makers for violence in the streets and said the country needs national healthcare? Why can't you name ONE THING that he has said that is inaccurate?
Bobbie, I don't see why you are concerned where we move to because it seems as if you have been living in a cave.
Justice in the courts or justice in the streets!

First of all I didnt say I didnt care where u moved I said him as in Moore. He seems to hate the USA so bad and thinks other countries are far better than we are so why dont he move? He certainly has the money so that cant be stopping him. As far as him discrediting Bush he forgot to leave out the fact that Bush had to clean up 8 years of Clintons mess. And that is fact. Yeah things were better when Clinton was in office and u know why?? Because Bill was 2 busy getting blown in every direction that he never actually did his job as a president. And he also rode on the coattails of Bush Sr. Now as far as healthcare goes Moore didnt bust no doors open saying USA needs better healthcare plans. He states Canada is far ahead of us in that dept but what he also fails to state is that the wait for decent healthcare in Canada is so long that most people dont get the help that they need. And I'm sorry but I can't take seriously a guy who always looks like he cant take a shower or apply deodorant so that u don't have to look at his pit stains. As far as the blacks getting killed unfairly then maybe they shouldn't be putting themselves in a position to where they get put in that position. I'm not saying cops are 100% right all of the time..they r not. But, in some cases they have to do what they feel is right and how r they to know that when they tell someone to drop their weapon and that person doesn't that the weapon isnt really a weapon??