Inquirer Editorial: Take it down a notch | Philadelphia Inquirer

Zeal to break union shouldn\’t rush a decision on police force

 

With 566 towns, 21 counties, 601 school boards, off-the-charts property taxes, and declining revenues, New Jersey is a poster child for the need to consolidate government services. At the forefront is Camden, one of the nation\’s poorest and most dangerous cities. It wants to merge its Police Department into a new Camden County agency. Showing they want to get it right, planners have hired former Philadelphia Police Commissioner John F. Timoney as a consultant. Timoney modernized operations in the much larger city. But before officials go too far with the Camden plan, they need to make sure it\’s balanced against serious equity issues. Much of the savings would come from cutting staff and salaries, further demoralizing officers who have already seen a quarter of their colleagues laid off.

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