WNYresident
July 21st, 2004, 05:06 PM
This was on the Metro Community Blow off your Steam Column.
Could this be True?
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Steve, Depew: Recently there have been comments about the Depew Police traffic checks and about the officers going to breakfast every day when they should be at work. It never ceases to amaze me how if anything is said about the police, friends of the police or the police officers themselves call and accuse someone of having something against them or try to justify what they do. Traffic checks can be done any time and obtain the same results, but should not be an inconvenience to the public. As far as trying to justify the officers having breakfast every day when they should be at work is a hard sell for me. Yes, New York State law says you can have breaks, but it also states you have to work a while first. As for the excuse that maybe they got called out or worked late, it’s all part of the job for which they are well compensated. According to a study done a few years ago, the Village of Depew is the most expensive village police department in Western New York with over a third of the tax money going to the police services. We just got our tax bill and it was quite an increase. Most costs are related to police services. The police are currently working on a new contract where they will be asking for more pay and benefits. So our taxes will go up again. Police services are essential, but I think the average citizen should be able to voice their opinion without being accused of having something against the police. There are many fine police officers in Depew, but there are some who take advantage of the system.
Could this be True?
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Steve, Depew: Recently there have been comments about the Depew Police traffic checks and about the officers going to breakfast every day when they should be at work. It never ceases to amaze me how if anything is said about the police, friends of the police or the police officers themselves call and accuse someone of having something against them or try to justify what they do. Traffic checks can be done any time and obtain the same results, but should not be an inconvenience to the public. As far as trying to justify the officers having breakfast every day when they should be at work is a hard sell for me. Yes, New York State law says you can have breaks, but it also states you have to work a while first. As for the excuse that maybe they got called out or worked late, it’s all part of the job for which they are well compensated. According to a study done a few years ago, the Village of Depew is the most expensive village police department in Western New York with over a third of the tax money going to the police services. We just got our tax bill and it was quite an increase. Most costs are related to police services. The police are currently working on a new contract where they will be asking for more pay and benefits. So our taxes will go up again. Police services are essential, but I think the average citizen should be able to voice their opinion without being accused of having something against the police. There are many fine police officers in Depew, but there are some who take advantage of the system.