Wow Detroit really needs RoboCop

ETROIT (WWJ) – The men and women of the Detroit Police Department believe the city is too dangerous to enter, and they want citizens to know it.

Detroit Police Officer Association (DPOA) Attorney Donato Iorio said officers are holding the “Enter At Your Own Risk” rally at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in front of Comerica Park to remind the public that the officers are overworked, understaffed, and at times, fearful for their lives.

“Detroit is America’s most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed,” Iorio told WWJ’s Kathryn Larson. “The DPOA believes that there is a war in Detroit, but there should be a war on crime, not a war on its officers.”

Iorio says the once 2,000 strong force is shrinking rapidly; since the start of summer, hundreds of officers have left the department.

“These are the men and women who we look to protect us… and police officers can’t protect you if they’re not there. Officers are leaving simply because they can’t afford to stay in Detroit and work 12 hour shifts for what they are getting paid… These police officers are beyond demoralized, these officers are leaving hand over fist because they can no longer afford to stay on the department and protect the public,” he said.

And that’s why Iorio cautions those who enter the city to be wary.

Turbojett wrote:I'm hearing they've been debating on whether or not to call in the national guard to restore order.

thewalrus wrote:Is it really that bad? I mean, maybe. But I have a hard time believing it's too dangerous to enter the city. Sounds, frankly, like labor posturing before contract negotiations. Just like the ones we went through with my union. If you listened to our guys talk, Canada was on the verge of catastrophic losses across the board if the gov't lawyers didn't get a 15% raise. I mean, sure there's attrition, sure more resources would be nice, but the situation wasn't as dire as they were claiming.

Pennzoil GT-R wrote:

thewalrus wrote:Is it really that bad? I mean, maybe. But I have a hard time believing it's too dangerous to enter the city. Sounds, frankly, like labor posturing before contract negotiations. Just like the ones we went through with my union. If you listened to our guys talk, Canada was on the verge of catastrophic losses across the board if the gov't lawyers didn't get a 15% raise. I mean, sure there's attrition, sure more resources would be nice, but the situation wasn't as dire as they were claiming.

Lawyers have unions?

thewalrus wrote:

Pennzoil GT-R wrote:

thewalrus wrote:Is it really that bad? I mean, maybe. But I have a hard time believing it's too dangerous to enter the city. Sounds, frankly, like labor posturing before contract negotiations. Just like the ones we went through with my union. If you listened to our guys talk, Canada was on the verge of catastrophic losses across the board if the gov't lawyers didn't get a 15% raise. I mean, sure there's attrition, sure more resources would be nice, but the situation wasn't as dire as they were claiming.

Lawyers have unions?

We do at the feds. Pretty ineffectual though, because we can't do anything - go on strike, violate your professional responsibilities, get slapped (or worse) by the law society. Kind of funny, all things considered - except not quite, since they keep taking money off my pay check.

millertime wrote:

thewalrus wrote:

Pennzoil GT-R wrote:

thewalrus wrote:Is it really that bad? I mean, maybe. But I have a hard time believing it's too dangerous to enter the city. Sounds, frankly, like labor posturing before contract negotiations. Just like the ones we went through with my union. If you listened to our guys talk, Canada was on the verge of catastrophic losses across the board if the gov't lawyers didn't get a 15% raise. I mean, sure there's attrition, sure more resources would be nice, but the situation wasn't as dire as they were claiming.

Lawyers have unions?

We do at the feds. Pretty ineffectual though, because we can't do anything - go on strike, violate your professional responsibilities, get slapped (or worse) by the law society. Kind of funny, all things considered - except not quite, since they keep taking money off my pay check.

I second pennz's comments. What kind of fool thought forming a union with federal lawyers was a good idea.

thewalrus wrote:

millertime wrote:

thewalrus wrote:

Pennzoil GT-R wrote:

thewalrus wrote:Is it really that bad? I mean, maybe. But I have a hard time believing it's too dangerous to enter the city. Sounds, frankly, like labor posturing before contract negotiations. Just like the ones we went through with my union. If you listened to our guys talk, Canada was on the verge of catastrophic losses across the board if the gov't lawyers didn't get a 15% raise. I mean, sure there's attrition, sure more resources would be nice, but the situation wasn't as dire as they were claiming.

Lawyers have unions?

We do at the feds. Pretty ineffectual though, because we can't do anything - go on strike, violate your professional responsibilities, get slapped (or worse) by the law society. Kind of funny, all things considered - except not quite, since they keep taking money off my pay check.

What exactly is the current "cost of living" increases on a percentage basis these days?

I second pennz's comments. What kind of fool thought forming a union with federal lawyers was a good idea.

Hey - they've succeeded in getting us less than cost of living pay increases for over 15 years!!