APD Layoffs

[dragonwind]

did orricers get laid off the first of the year?

[dragonwind]

Officers sorry for the misspelling

[vincegatto]

Did JP's stepson get through the layoffs OK.

[johnnypeppers]

Jan 2, 2010 8:55:12 GMT -5 @vincegatto said:

Did JP's stepson get through the layoffs OK.[/quote}

Nope...he has been terminated as of Jan 1

[vincegatto]

Jan 2, 2010 9:18:07 GMT -5 johnnypeppers said:

Jan 2, 2010 8:55:12 GMT -5 @vincegatto said:

Did JP's stepson get through the layoffs OK.[/quote}

Nope...he has been terminated as of Jan 1

Then I would assume that he was originally an Audubon Park cop, who came over with the other three that were required for Audubon Borough to get the original contract.

Therefore, he should be able to get a job with the Haddon Twp. PD, as Haddon should be required to meet the same standards Audubon Borough did by hiring four additional cops from Audubon Park.

Makes sense to me, have him go to an Audubon Park Council meeting and ask why Park was willing to allow Haddon to handle policing with four less cops than Audubon used. I would estimate that the salaries for four cops is about $200,000 +. Since Audubon had a $200,000 a year expense greater than Haddon, It seems it would be hard for Audubon to bid what Haddon did.

Anyway, have him go there with his union rep and make sure the Retro is going to cover the meeting. Let's see what Park has to say about their people that lost jobs because Haddon did not meet the same policing standards that Audubon did. Since the layoffs just took effect this week, the timing is good.

[dragonwind]

I don't believe the original contract required the hiring of Audubon park officers but was a bonus to pick up trained officers (at no expense to Audubon) to cover the shopping center

[vincegatto]

Jan 3, 2010 9:38:26 GMT -5 dragonwind said:

I don't believe the original contract required the hiring of Audubon park officers but was a bonus to pick up trained officers (at no expense to Audubon) to cover the shopping center

You don't think that the fact that the majority of AP Cops who were friends, family and residents and were not going to get laid off when their PD closed wasn't a selling point to residents there? You should take a course in politics 101.

Now the layoffs of AP cops are "all Audubon Borough's fault". - As Pontius "AP" Pilot washes his hands in the whole matter.

Apparently the new Audubon Borough administration feels that we can cover the shopping center just fine with fewer cops.

[theincrowd]

I believe the answer as to why Haddon Township has not hired additional officers to handle the onslaught of calls in Audubon Park is an easy one. There is no onslaught and staffing levels are sufficient to handle their existing calls in addition to AP. Haddon Twp did not go after AP to increase their sphere of influence, balance their books or cover crime ridden shopping district. Having AP under the HT umbrella certainly helps HT finacially because they chose not to expand, which really is the purpose of shared services.

Audubon needed the 400K plus contract and 4 additional officers to handle calls in Audubon and all of the issues at the shopping center. Having to deal with AP was an inconvenience and only got in the way. Audubon and similar sized towns may someday be in the same position AP was in by deciding if we really need to have our own PD. As costs go up we may need to go the shared services route or regionalize with several towns.

[johnnypeppers]

Jan 9, 2010 17:42:52 GMT -5 theincrowd said:

I believe the answer as to why Haddon Township has not hired additional officers to handle the onslaught of calls in Audubon Park is an easy one. There is no onslaught and staffing levels are sufficient to handle their existing calls in addition to AP. Haddon Twp did not go after AP to increase their sphere of influence, balance their books or cover crime ridden shopping district. Having AP under the HT umbrella certainly helps HT financially because they chose not to expand, which really is the purpose of shared services.

Audubon needed the 400K plus contract and 4 additional officers to handle calls in Audubon and all of the issues at the shopping center. Having to deal with AP was an inconvenience and only got in the way. Audubon and similar sized towns may someday be in the same position AP was in by deciding if we really need to have our own PD. As costs go up we may need to go the shared services route or regionalize with several towns. [/quotte}

A few years ago when I was employed at the CCPO Office I gave a detailed structure as to shared services and combining the many small towns P.D's It was VERY detailed and I was told it was presented to the "Chiefs Association" and shot down. You know...the 'good old boy " thingie...protect my fiefdom. What is needed in New Jersey is the State has to step up and say..COMBINE. This will keep local taxes down and combine the many Police depts. within Camden county. But...who am I to suggest saving money and efficient coverage.

[oaklandave]

Johnny you recite this almost as much as Zaney tells us about offering to run the town website. We know already.

Dave

[Pasta]

Dave, I don't ever recall johnnypeppers mentioning his countywide deployment plan for departmental consolidation ever on the forum. From anybody I happen to know in law enforcement; johnnypeppers is EXTREMELY well respected. Why would you mention that he said this before in an insulting manner? This man devoted his life to make sure you can safely sleep at night. This man is NOT someone any rational person would want to disrespect. I would like to thank johnnypeppers for his EXEMPLARY service to the citizens of this county; with great respect and humility. He deserves nothing less. He has earned that.

[theincrowd]

Peppers, I do remember your post on the subject and I agree that it's just a matter of time before the smaller towns are forced to regionalize. Audubon would certainly be a good candidate. Our town has proven it's inability to manage it's finances and it's exploding police budget over the last several years in Chief Tassi era. What most people have forgotten is that our town layed off 2 officers a few years ago right in the middle of the 400K AP contract. The layoffs were a good indication of the mess Audubon has presided over and how desperate they were for the 400K in the first place and the court fight to keep it. I still feel 4 officers per shift in Audubon prior to taking over AP was sufficient. Audubon saw no financial relief from AP because they chose to expand.

Peppers, I wouldn't expect the police chief's association to jump on that bandwagon.... Regionalization could only happen when the politicians are forced into doing so with their financial backs against the wall.

[johnnypeppers]

Jan 9, 2010 23:35:08 GMT -5 oaklandave said:

Johnny you recite this almost as much as Zaney tells us about offering to run the town website. We know already.

Dave

[vincegatto]

Yes, Pepper has been selling a regional police force for years and he has a well thought out plan, in my opinion.

The key issue, as I see it is "how regional". I don't like the potential of the County running this. Maybe you create "Police Districts" like fire districts and regional schools districts hooking together adjacent towns such as Audubon, Audubon Park, Collingswood, Haddon Twp., Haddonfield, Heights, Oaklyn, Mt Ephraim and Woodlynne.

I don't see towns like Cherry Hill or Camden wanting to give up home rule, nor would I want a large municipality dominating the district.

I think Peppers concept is a good idea and he can advocate for it anywhere he can get an audience and as much as he wants. That's how things get done.

[dfc]

Jan 9, 2010 17:42:52 GMT -5 theincrowd said:

I believe the answer as to why Haddon Township has not hired additional officers to handle the onslaught of calls in Audubon Park is an easy one. There is no onslaught and staffing levels are sufficient to handle their existing calls in addition to AP. Haddon Twp did not go after AP to increase their sphere of influence, balance their books or cover crime ridden shopping district. Having AP under the HT umbrella certainly helps HT finacially because they chose not to expand, which really is the purpose of shared services.

Audubon needed the 400K plus contract and 4 additional officers to handle calls in Audubon and all of the issues at the shopping center. Having to deal with AP was an inconvenience and only got in the way. Audubon and similar sized towns may someday be in the same position AP was in by deciding if we really need to have our own PD. As costs go up we may need to go the shared services route or regionalize with several towns.

As far as calls to Audubon Park you are COMPLETELY wrong to their responses and calls. I was at a Christmas party with two officers from Haddon Twp., who told me they are spending more time in the Park, than in Twp. They aren't happy about being there all of the time. And don't believe that there is someone stationed in the Park at all times. It is straining their man power already. By the end of the year when everyone has forgotten, you will see Twp quietly hiring more cops.