What's the right number?
On today's Opinion Page of the Daily Local News, Police Chief William Matthews calls the right-sizing committee a great idea. The committee will determine the appropriate size of the Coatesville Police Department. (Read it online or on page A6.)
But at last night's City Council meeting, resident John Pawlowski cautioned the city about relying on yet another committee given that the police chief selection process -- which included a search committee -- created such controversy.
Instead, Pawlowski recommended that the question over the appropriate number of police officers be put to the voters. Pawlowski would like to see a referendum placed on the November ballot, asking whether the police department should maintain its level of officers.
"That would take a lot of heat off the city's administration," Pawlowski said.
What do you think?
13 Comments:
I think Mr. Pawlowski has a great idea there. Everyone I know beleives we need MORE police officers, not less. The police we have cannot respond to all the quality of life calls they get as is. These kinds of calls are important to taxpaying residents and stem the tide of more serious crimes.
Right-sizing? How about 10 more cops than we currently have but with bikes or on foot!
I agree with Mr.Pawlowski what a great idea let the voters decide. It is "our" money. I use to see cops on bikes but haven't in a long time. There are so many other places they can make cuts.
The numbers recently mentioned for Coatesville police calls were, I believe, 28,000 call-outs annually. That works out to about 76 calls per day! While recognizing that these calls probably include everything from illegal parking to murder, it seems like a lot for a City of 11,000. Maybe, the new Chief is right, you can't stop the crime by arresting people because new criminals are being born in the "community" everyday. I'm not sure a community police officer can stem that crime by simply becoming friends or shooting hoops with the folks in that "community" but I guess it might be worth a try. However, unless the "community" leaders that he refers to start speaking out against illegitimate pregnancies (the "my baby's daddy" phenomonon), in favor of getting an education, against "no-snitching" philosophies, and many of the other sociological problems in the "community", there will continue to be a fresh supply of dealers and criminals.
I don't think putting the question of police staffing to a ballot vote will work in Coatesville, unless you want less than one percent of the voters making decisions for you. Check the numbers at the polls for the last election to see just how involved the Coatesville electorate is.
The voters? Sure great plan! Then walker and company beat the street and encourage every person legally old enough to vote to register. Then they'll vote to have 3 cops so they control the street. Unfortunetly there's alot of voters that are rather unintelligent.
Bad Idea! If the Police union needs you they'll let you know. There A bit smarter than you think!
I think the the cops need 10 more people to help them. Walker and Matthews have no clue on how to patrol the streets. Matthews comes from a community policing background. That is great for when he was a cop back in the seventies. Coatesville Officers have tried and are still trying to be community officers but the fine citizens do not want that. The residents still do not like the Officers and that is a true fact. I have seen Officers try but the people still berate them. Let the cops go back out and take the streets back from the residents like it was. The officers need more support from the so called Chief and the ding dongs that run the city. The police department is there for the citizens even the ones that commit
the crimes but the the Bloc does not want them nor does Walker. I would like the Chief to explain to the residents of Coatesvile what it feels like to be a puppet for Walker and the Four. I know for a fact as a man I would never let myself be a puppet for anyone. Bill can you please give us your thought on being one of the highest paid puppets in Chester County?
It's part of the plan people! Let's recap: Plug in "your picks" for the key positions in administration. Begin to take the control of the monies coming into the City. Buy as many people's alliance. Take control of the Police Department by hiring someone who will "do as they are told". BINGO - drugs and money flow like a spring. Don't look to provide any solutions or suggestions because they fall on deaf ears. There's a plan and that plan is all but unfolded. One more piece to fit.
In theory, it's a great idea, however I have to wonder if such a referendum would even be legal under state law. That said, I don't think the voters as a whole (at least those who show up to vote *and* care about the city) can do any worse than the current adminstration.
Mr. Rabs, you are correct. This sort of thing is not legally binding in this state. The city spent a lot of money to prove that point once already.
Ok this is probably not the space to write this but I just found out that a Pizza Peddler has opened up on 2nd Ave. I so want to see just something survive in the city so please call them and maybe other businesses will follow.
To 4:35pm The pizza shop on 2nd ave is doing ok so far. They are a franchise and have 2 locations in West Chester, I am friends with them and the Coatesville location is owned by the shop operator. Watch for a new business feature soon for them in the DLN! And there is another new business in the 200 block of Lumber st. folks should take a ride down that block and check it out. Not everyone has given up on Coatesville!
Sorry to tell you hope the pizza peddler has a license to do that or he will be shut down. It's a city ordinance.
to 11:05 AM, The Pizza Peddler is the name of the shop. It is located in a commercial business front on N. 2nd Ave. Their license is right on the wall. Like I said take a ride up second ave. and down Lumber st.(east) Some folks actually take the time to clean up litter on Lumber st. everyday! wish more people would do that in Coatesville.
The only important number is one, and by the look of things, you certainly were not (the best guy for the job). Fight for your cops!
Sorry, you would actually have to address them to do that! What a leader!
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