Great chart you posted. Did you see the other day during the budget sessions where Pat Cappabianca pulled this huge number out of his ass for comparable cities to Erie?(like 240 police officers). One of the other councilman asked where Pat got the number, to which no concrete reply was given. I wonder where Pat "got" that number?? : )

Of course, Pat's behaviour wasn't surprising based on the recent blind loyalty he showed to the greedy police union. It was unbelievable that Pat would argue yesterday for over a million dollars in additional taxes to keep 12 additional police officers after the police union told the city of Erie to screw off last week (over paying any of their own health care and saying no to a wage freeze).

Dennis,

This data from other cities is EXACTLY why I read your site 2nd every morning ( the drudgereport is my home page). The times-news would never bother to dig this up. Thank you so much for being the "new media" in Erie.

Very compelling data Dennis. Although I don't think it's 100% conclusive, it sure as hell is damn close to proving Erie has a glut of law enforcement. However, we are the safest city in Pennsylvania right? I guess an argument can be made for either side --that cutting law enforcement will make us less safe OR is acceptable because we don't have much crime to begin with.

Finally, I wonder if some of the officers with higher seniority will agree to pay a portion of their health insurance if it means saving the jobs of some of their younger compatriots. Solidarity anyone?

It has been my opinion for about the last ten to fifteen years, that one cannot get elected, or stay elected in the city of Erie without the support of the government unions. This even with the fact that many of them live outside the city and cannot vote there. Part of the problem is that the turnout is so poor, and the attention of the public so limited, but mostly it is because elected leaders find the arrangement to their convenience.
It will be interesting to see if the unions rejection of Sinnott's proposals constitutes a part of his public "education". Judging from some of his appointments, it is business as usual in the city.
DiVecchio on the other hand, seems to be putting together a much more by-partisian and qualified staff.

One other thing to remember, is that independant rating services, such as ISO, can effect the insurance rates (could be looked at as a backdoor tax increase) city property owners pay. If the insurance industry determines that the city services are sub par, the insurance increases could in residential cases, offset a tax increase that would have covered some of the eliminated positions.
Since the city council opted to not study the fire department, as an example, the reorganization of the department is being done blind to the effect on the city ISO rating.
While cuts probably could and should be made, it is important how they are done.

We're all doomed pack up your kids your cat and move to the suburb this town is dying it well never change its just like the newspaper they just move the chairs around.

You are not telling the whole story when it comes to comparing firefighter numbers. Many of the communities listed with lower numbers have a lower "fire load" than Erie. Thus they dont burn as often nor as fiercly. The buildings here are older than most of the entire state of California and most here are wood frame and of ballon construction, thus they burn to the ground much more quickly than the more modern brick buildings common if other states. Then we will see how you feel about the numbers of policemen. Post a graph comparing crime rates vs number of police, then we will have a more fair comparison.

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Fire load ? That's a load of bull my boy. Grow up.
The numbers show you are either poorly trained, incompetent or greedy.
Dennis

STeve, Why do you find the need to threaten people if your not going to do your job then f-en quit!!
The tax pays of this town do not need your lazy over paid union ass around.Why don't you try learning how to sacrifice a little,and help this town take the burden of your high class (Millcreek) life style off the tax payer shoulders.