How can you tell when Mangano us lying? His lips are moving. Every "cost saving" measure he has proposed and implemented has NOT saved money that he has claimed.

Yes I support it because it reduces the rediculous overtime costs we endure as tax payers. Police Officers deserve very good pay and benefits while they are on the job but the public can not afford overtime costs if they can be reduced safely. The real tax issue is the administrative costs of all govt departments and school districts in particular.

There is overtime because the NCPD is understaffed. Keep cutting officers and there will be more overtime unless you want to cut shifts and patrols. I can understand if there was rampant abuse of overtime but that is not the case. The overtime is to cover patrols.
And now with Mangano's new dumb idea, overtime will increase and because processing will be done further away from patrol.

John: Not true!!! Overtime is a way of life for cops, especially when they get near retirement age. I support the police and teacher salaries they both deserve it more than ever. However, consolidation is a form of cost savings to the homeowners who foot the bill. Like other public employee unions, they have to suck it up and chip in!!!!

Consolidation is not always the way to go. Overtime is a way of life for cops but not because of padding - it's because of work load. Do you really think that at the end of their tour they just punch out and get to the paperwork/processing on their next shift? Do you think they will just not answer a call for help because they've got five minutes left on their tour? C'mon.

I know I can live without abundant school redundancies such as super intendants and bloated administrations. I really don't want to find out how it would be to live with lesser police.

Sal, I agree that in the next contract the last year pre-retirement overtime is an issue that needs to be addressed. And I believe that Vacation days and Sick days should have an expiration date. Sick dsays can be banked for serious illness but otherwise use it or lose it like in the private sector.
BUT I don't see the savings in the "community policing centers" or helpful to the community. If a perp can't be processed or held in that center, the officer has to drive further to an operating precinct. The operating precinct will see an increase in detainees in cells and processing. AND the community center needs to be staffed... so if no processing or police work is done in the center, what does the officer or two do all day and night?
Also, the NCPD officer and all the unions members are taxpayers and homeowners in NC too.
Instead of the unions giving and giving which they HAVE done already, how about we look to Mangano and all his appointees and the Legislature? Trim all top salaries to $100,000 or under. Cut the MILLIONS in outside contracts Managno started up again after Suozzi stopped the practice.

John and Helen: Not one line in my rebuttal says anything about not wanting to be safe and secure. I actually stated that the police and teachers deserve what they earn. The main beef again is in the costs of the benefit packages, that all powerful unions fight tooth and nail to preserve ( again I agree they should be preserved for those currently employed ) While as you state they have already given back you and I both know it was not nearly enough. Like the teachers, a new tier is required for new recruits, as you stated vacation sick pay and overtime etc. should not be included in pensions, retirement after 25 years and age 55, an adjustment on pensions are needed for the double dippers. AS for aleaner education system, I agree consolidation is needed. But be careful what you wish for. A more washed down and underfunded education system is just as dangerous as a thinly policed one. As far as Mangano and his cronies, they are no different than any other politician in office. WE only have the power of the vote and we didn't like the loser Suozzi, so tried a new politician, who has a tougher road ahead and as usual we scream when policies fail or are weak or effect us individually. Well what did we think he was going to leave the politicos in from past regimes? So he put in his party, We'll put in someone else come election time if it doesn't work out. But again we start over with someone elses version of the better mousetrap!!

Sal, I never suggested you said anything about safety. My point is that safety WILL be compromised not only for civilians but for the officers.
The current union contracts were approved by Mangano and Schmitt. They complain about giving away the farm when they are the ones that have done it since 1996.
How much more do you want the unions to give back? Honest question, What will be enough? I don't disagree with healthcare contributions but Mangano wanted 25% which would but the lower pay scale CSEA members under poverty level.