I'm ill. I have no breath. My stomach's angry. My heart is dead.
The budget is bad. The department is proposing
to close two of the five precincts to save money.
One of them is mine. It's been my home for over ten years.
I know the streets. I know the officers.
And now I know it may all go away.
My precinct won't be absorbed by another like North.
No, South will be torn in half and parted out to Central and East:
Officers, districts, equipment, and cars.
I always thought I'd retire out of South.
I just don't know what to say.
My favorite dispatcher told me tonight,
"Hate to say it, but life at work is much easier if you just stop caring...
I'm a better employee now that I don't give a crap."
Kappy has been telling me this for years.
If the precinct goes, maybe I'll listen.
As a side note, re-organization is better than the proposed 55 lay offs.
Posted by: RD | January 22, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Sorry to hear about the news, and I hope things work out. Thankfully, I sincerely doubt you'll listen to Kappy or your favorite dispatcher, even if the re-org does happen.
Posted by: Jim | January 22, 2009 at 03:12 PM
See? January sucks mooseballs soaked in pondwater.
Posted by: Peppypilotgirl | January 22, 2009 at 06:26 PM
Wow! I don't know what to say, I can't even imagine that dissolving two precincts is an answer... it's wrong on so many levels. I really hope they find some other answer, as for the caring part I don't think that will change about you, as much as it can suck to care, it's one of the best things about you.
Posted by: Moon | January 22, 2009 at 09:18 PM
It's your caring that has you out in the heat, full gear, giving soccer pointers to a neighborhood kid. Stuff like that makes a difference to people. Change is hard, but like you said... reorg is better than shutting it down all together.
I hope, if you have to adjust, that it goes as smoothly as possible.
Posted by: Jade | January 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM
How can you have lay-offs when you guys are down so many officers?
Posted by: deputydog | February 01, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I have an answer, but since this a public forum, I will say this, the citizens receive the form of government they demand at the hands of the officials they elect.
Posted by: RD | February 01, 2009 at 12:58 PM