New Jersey State PBA today released the results of a study that reveals
a growing gap in police coverage at the municipal level due to a
dramatic cut in police manpower. The findings detail significant
reductions in overall police staffing, particularly in several of New
Jersey’s largest cities. State PBA leadership also again expressed
concerns with the impact the 2% property tax cap and the economy will
have on public safety.
“In the past 20 months the number of police officers on the streets
around New Jersey has dropped by 11% and the avalanche of lost police
jobs is expected to continue to grow”, said State PBA President Anthony
Wieners. Pointing to today’s layoff of 40 Atlantic City police officers
and the potential loss of hundreds of cops in Newark and Trenton PBA
President Wieners called the layoffs a dangerous trend that must be
stopped. “Law enforcement and public safety throughout the State of New
Jersey will be in crisis if cuts to police staffing continues,” Wieners
said.
The State PBA pointed to Irvington as an example of crime rising
following cuts to police staffing. The
PBA research shows that in the month following the layoff of 20
Irvington Police Officers for example that violent crime rose
dramatically in the City; homicides 200%, carjacking by 600%, stolen
motor vehicles by 68%, robbery by 36%. Violent crime also jumped
following the layoff of 20 Atlantic City officers this year and similar
crimes are spiking in suburban and urban communities alike. Wieners
noted that the Uniform Crime Report shows that police in New Jersey have
been doing a good job at keeping crime down but the current trend of
decreasing police protection levels is going to undermine past success.
The State PBA is asking for legislative support for a limited exception
from the 2% property tax cap for public safety for the next two years.
“This is not to say that we don’t recognize the burdens the economic
downturn has placed on the State and this is certainly not a partisan
issue,” Wieners continued. “There simply must be some protection for law
enforcement to ensure the cap doesn’t lead to more dangerous cuts than
we’re seeing now.”
