Raindogblue

Hollow Talismans

 

She's a drug tourist. She's clean:

Dressed in heels and new clothes.

The leopard print Covid mask

around her neck is hollow talisman.

Sweat is beading on her forehead.

She is clammy and conscious.

Her pulse is meager.

Foil and straw at hand,

she's another fetty OD.

 8 Mil of Narcan up her nose

and 2 more in her arm,

she's barely breathing.

The medic crew places her

on the gurney before the flow

of urine from her fellow users steams

to the place where she almost died.

 

 

Minus 10

 

Back in the day, the old minimums were 25.

Today, they are 17.

Today, we had seven officers off probation to man the shift.

At Roll Call, the sergeant decided that officers would work districts.

Everyone was in a beat car and we would only be taking priority calls.

He paired up four officers into two cars.

I partnered up with Midnight Man.  

Two officers had their trainees.

And Hands worked by himself. 

 

 

 

 

9/11

 

In roll call, three of us were working the job during 9/11.  Most were ten and under. 

 

 

Overtime

 

Since most shifts are running at 2/3 capacity and force overtime is not allowed by contract, the department has agreed with to increase overtime pay to double time to help alleviate staffing shortages. The proposal is on the Mayor's desk waiting to be signed. 

 

 

Partner Cars

 

As of yesterday, due to a shortage of personnel, there are no more partner cars allowed for the shift. 

 

 

Authorized Ratio

 

Despite the department hiring 100 officers in the last two years, West Precinct still only has 88 of its 137 authorized officers. 

 

 

 

Splashing

 

Splashing water on a person overdosing on Fentanyl never helps.

 

 

The Consequences of Appointments and Promotions

 

Due to position appointments and promotions, as of Thursday, we will have a total of 26 officers on the shift.

At one time, 25 was a daily minimum for the shift.

 

 

Down 7

 

By 2248 hrs, AMR was down 7 for medical transport calls.

 

 

Input and Outcome

 

The city boasts of hiring 100 officers in the two years, but they do not mention the more important numbers.

How may of those officers have completed the basic academy?

How many of those officers have resigned or have been terminated?

How many officers have recently made probation?