Enough is Enough!

Guys, thanks for the insight. I always wondered what it would take for us bond together, no "former city," no "former county," no "rookies." Just the Thin Blue Line.

This is so sad that our officers who work day and night to to protect us gets the shaft every time.

I was paying the 30 a month just in case I needed to drive my vehicle in the county while off duty as I live out of county. This is going to stop as I will not pay any more money to him or his lack of leadership nor am I going to give up any raise or vacation time for him. If he is looking for all officers to pay for his BS ways of giving our tax dollars to cordish and others who take care of him. The only way I will pay any more money is if I can drive my car home and use if for the use of the money I am paying.

Just curious......If someone is not participating in the take home program by giving the mayor vacation time and money can they just pay the 30 a month to use a pool car for off duty work?

Give him the cars and let him find a place to park all of them!

to Det Rodman and the other officer who put in an email that they would pay whatever it took to keep their car. Here is your chance and remember it will go up again in the future.

how about a 4th option.

We keep the our vacation time and raises, give him his cars and bring him to court everytime he violates any part of our contract? No matter how small the violation is we fight it to the end. I wonder where he is going to park all the vehicles if they are turned in?

We have given enough. Everyone who is doing something extra for this department (ie: swatt, dive, hnt teams) stop. Let the city keep the cars but do not give up our money and benifits.

NO THANKS, HE CAN HAVE HIS CAR!!!! To the citizens It's not black and white. The citizens will be losing THOUSANDS of hours of free Police service each year by off duty officers. LMPD can't keep up with the current run volume with 150 vacancies, when you take out all the thousands of hours of free police work and make the on duty guy pick up that run they will get deeper and deeper buried in the run volume. Instead of hearing Metrosafe tell the Sgt they are holding 15 runs on a friday night, they will be holding 50. Give the Mayor his car, everyone drop from SWAT HNT DPT

It sounds like its time for us to come together and show the city how important we really are to this city. Instead of continously locking up criminals and performing community policing we can just sit back until the mayor decides that he is tired of playing games with our income. If the city wants to take away our cars let them but they need to start paying us what other cities the same size as ours pay their Officers.

If we are in such a buget crisis then have the mayor get rid of all these pet projects (city of trees, basketball arena, etc). Have the mayor personal take a cutback in pay or have him give up his take home car, white can do the same. We already pay for gas ($60 a month), the mayor saw how we didn't fight that one so now he figures WTF lets see if we can squeeze more money out of Police Department. I get a raise only to have it taken away by paying for fuel, one step forward two steps back. Its time for us to make a statement to the mayor, chief and community that we all so proudly serve.If we all get on the same page together and stick together we have more power and influence on this city then any other group could ever achieve.

I think taking our money is just another way the mayor tries to slap us in the face for standing up for our rights! If the real issue is money spent on gas that officers use while off-duty, or going to and from work...then why doesn't he require us to fill in the tanks ever so often? Instead he comes up with some elaborate scheme that includes us paying amounts that 70% of us would never cost the city that much in the first place. Gas prices are down over 50% but he never offered to stop our current payments, instead we get to forfeit even more of our EARNED income to fund whatever project these fools can conjure. You're right...ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

I got this job to help and it seems like I am fighting someone or something everyday to do my job. If it's not paying to go to work it's getting kicked off flex because of lack of time on...I just want to do good things....I can't get a MDT that works, I still don't have court net (going on 3 years). Most of the people I've locked up don't serve any time....I just want to do good things...I am here as a police officer because GOD put me here!!! I wish I knew what to do..I was going home this morning after dealing with jerks all night and saw an accident on the Snyder at 65. It was a young girl who rearended a elderly woman.No injuries but both ladies were visibley shaken. I can not NOT help. ....I just want to do good things..... I understand the arguments posted here but, I don't want it to come to where I'm not helping people because of some poor leadership..My platoon is a strong, highly motivated bunch of guys and I can see it in their faces...this crap is affecting them. I've been told (even by scumbags) that I'm a pretty cool cop, I don't want to turn sour but this junk is starting to upset me...I'm not sure what to do ....Just venting sorry

I can suggest a place for him to park all the cars!!!!! How many vacation days is Jerry giving up? Is he paying to drive his furnished car to work? WE all know how he feels about the LMPD, the EMS and the FIREFIGHTERS. Basically he is going to try and screw all of you the way he let Coordish Group screw him and the people of Louisville. Park your cars, sit on your butts, and let God Jerry do it all. What a disgusting Mayor some people voted into office.

The chief has stated that it is the job of sergeants and lieutenants to keep the rank and file motivated and to ensure that stats remain productive....

Please allow me to retort!

Not another traffic stop.

Not another pedestrian stop.

Not another warrant service attempt.

I'll continue to make dispatched runs but that is it. "They done got thier last click outta Junior"

Jerry is the manager of this fine city, if there is a 20 million dollar shortfall it is his fault and he should be held accountable. Public service should not fit the bill.

Guys you need to stick together on the issue and park the cars. After about two months when the crime rate has increased do to the lack of visability of law enforcement the mayor and the chief will be begging you to take the cars home again. You better remember this, these are the rates for the 1st year, plan on them going up. Remember this all started with $30.00 a month and now with gas prices at an all time low this is what you get from the Mayor Jerry ?????

PS: How much does his staff pay?

Since gas prices are down I want my money back. The union needs to get this fuel fee taken off our checks. What are we paying the fuel fee for?

PARK THE CARS!!! Don't give up your pay or time. It will negatively effect your retirement numbers whether you're close or not.

To my colleagues on the board of lodge 614, it is time to sue. Not discuss, not arbitrate, not talk. His honor the mayor has failed to honor our contract yet again. He has turned it into a worthless piece of paper. You have until tuesday at 4:00 p.m. to provide your response. Monday you should file a lawsuit and request an injunction against the mayor. Have him served personally by a deputy. State law and contracts mean nothing to this man. He has historically shown no respect for us, our representatives, his word or the law. He says he will stop taking the incentive money from our brothers at LFR, state law says he has to. We need to sue him at every turn since he insists on making us pay for his short comings. His persistant and blatant disregard for our contract should be enough for any judge to provide an injunction and agree that arbitration is pointless. He ignores it since it isn't binding and wants to cause a delay hoping that we will fold. Enough is enough. Take him to court and sue him. Make him open his books and show what money is going where. He wants to run his emergency services at the leanest, tightest and cheapest rate he can and now that his projections of taxes is wrong again wants us to give up more. I didn't come into this profession to get rich. I felt a need to serve. It seems that his honor, yet again, is wanting to stick it to the people who hold the line for him. How many officers are we down? How many command positions is he going to eliminate with this? Why doesn't the local media take an honest look at how he provides service to the public and raise a cry, okay that one is obvious why they won't but I had to say it. I realize that there are people who are losing jobs and the economy is bad. We as public service employees have given up things every time there is a problem. I guess that I'm just living in a dream world and should click my heels three times but I am tired of every time we fight to get something we deserve that he says okay but you have to give up something else.....Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.... I have heard comments from my peers and only have this to say: Show up, do your jobs and show him to be the person he really is. We hired on to serve and should. I'm willing to march in front of Metro Hall on my off time. Don't let the public down, they didn't do this to us and they don't deserve to suffer for his failures.

PARK-EM, PARK-EM, PARK-EM. RIGHT IN FRONT OF CITY HALL!!!! THEN TAKE THE DAY OFF. HELL, TAKE 2 DAYS, YOUR NOT FEELING WELL.

My Car is parked at Okolona Sation #2 which is located at Preston Commerce. If they would like to come get it that's fine. I've paid the $30.00 dollars to drive a car on duty for two months due to the fact that I only come to Louisville to work and when I'm in the car I'm on duty. I'm not paying another penny to drive a car while I'm working. For everyone that says park them, stand up and do it. I'm in. C.Middleton

Ok,

all officers this your time to either stand up or be taken advantage of for years to come. GIVE BACK THE CARS and keep your benifits. you will be suprised to see that you can live without the car. let the city find somewhere to park them, let them find somewhere for you to park your pov's when you go to work. the auto shop union will then be on the city as there will not be a need for as many mechanics. If you officers choose to keep the cars and select a payment plan for them, then you deserve what ever the city as in store for you. Be smart keep your pay and vacation and give up the silly car. you don't have to have a car to work off duty.

On plan 3, the forfeiture of pay for the fiscal year, does this mean from now until the end of June or starting on the first of July 09 for the next fiscal year?

IM PARKING MY CAR AND NOT PAYING A DIME TO THIS SCUMBAG

If you work 80 hours in a two week period no matter how you break it down( 10's, 8's ) it still comes out to working 5 days a week. Now if we are paying $75.00 a day and I suppose/hope they are only trying to charge for workdays it doesn't come out to $1950.00 it comes out $19500.00. The math is $75.00 X 10 days ( two weeks @ 5 days a week)=$750.00 X 26 weeks= $19500.00. John, Paul please correct this post if it is wrong, but if it's right the FOP better inform his highness thanks, but no thanks.

Everyone else in the country gets along without a car thats not given to them......we can do it too. Park the car, let Jerry find somewhere else to fix his screw ups.

Park the cars around city hall for light up louisville, fill the up, turn all emergency equip on and lock the keys in the car. Make it the best and most memorable ever. Then he can decide where to park them, how to get them to the divisions, etc. We need to unite. Lets meet at the fairgrounds and convoy there. If you are working I think you have the blue, flu. Ladies and Gentlemen, enough is enough.

The F.O.P. needs to take a strong stance on this issue and suggest all officers turn in there cars. If they don't, give back your car and leave the f.o.p. keep the city from getting your pay and vacation and keep the f.o.p. from getting your money for doing nothing. 614 have got to be the weakest f.o.p. in the country if they support having to chose a plan for the cars. the board of 614 needs to organize all it's members and give back the cars.

If there is still anyone who thinks that the Chief and the Mayor have our best interest in mind this should be a wake up call. Any Officer who is currently apart of the take home car program and chooses any option other than parking your police vehicle should be ashamed. This idiot will continue to take as long as we let him get away with it. Those that are on specialty units I say keep your position but park you cars anyway. If and when a situation arrises when you need to respond, simply get there when you get there. Let the disaster that happens be on the Mayor's hands. We have never truly come together as one when it comes to fighting for what is right for us. We can make up for that by banding together and parking our cars. If you rely on your car to get around on your off time, I am sure that you could buy a car and cover the insurance for the kind of money he wants us to pay and also be able to drive it anywhere you want. DON'T LET HIM TAKE OUR CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS! It is hard enough to squeeze blood from a turnip. I AM PARKING MY CAR!

LMPD Officer

just an FYI, WLKY just reported that the mayor stated that if the deficit rises above 25 million dollars, all bets are off; which means any of the 4 options mentioned today will be null and void regardless of what we have agreed to. If you don't believe it check WLKY online it was just on the 5 o'clock news. That is what concerns me. I don't want to see the numbers continue to rise if we make an agreement.

It seems to be an overwelming majority of those of us who say "park them". I hope we stay unified in this matter. If you give up a raise, you are not just giving up a year, as all future increases are based on the wages you made before: i.e. if you give up 2% this year, then next year's raise will be based an annual salary that is 2% less. You never get back what you give up, which is why many of us voiced concerns over negotiating away the medical coverage....and you see where that has led us just a few months into the contract. Also, I have heard from many defense attorneys lately about our low morale and the impact it is having on thier pocket books. Several have stated that this is their worst year since they started practicing. With a little (lack of) effort, I am sure we can make that come true. It seems only prudent to save the city's gas money and not be proactive. It worked when "Cubby" was lodge president and it will work again. Pay attention to the firefighters-will the city refuse to pay KLEF money next?

1) Gotta park 'em. Spend the weekend working the phones, emails (FOP, you got personal eddresses?), personal face to face, PEER PRESSURE. Every youngster than whines about having to have the car, PRESSURE THEM. That's called collective action.

2) Tell your neighbors that your car won't be in the neighborhood any more, and why.

3) Picket City Hall every day, set up a schedule.

4) Use every opportunity to get the word out to everyone you know.

5) Go back as far as you can and create a list of every "free" stop you have made - publicize it.

6) Here's the one that I know will hurt - call all your off-duty employers and tell them that after Tuesday - you will either have to charge them 50 per hour, or you won't be able to work for them any more because you won't have a car. And MEAN IT. (And if a scab jumps in and takes the job, blackball them.

Projects already with commitments, like the Cordish expansion, will not be affected, but others will."There are many projects that, when we sit down with you in several weeks and layout the entire game plan for the remaining $18 million, will be postponed," he said.

-- Quoting the mayor

this is not my material but comes from a good source

For me,

Option A costs $2730 a year

Option B costs $1600 a year

Option C costs $2680 a year

Option D costs $3080 a year

How about Option E. Get a refund for ILEADS. If you divide $2.5 million (the extra amount we paid to get our own reporting system as opposed to using KYOPS reporting) by 1,200 (sworn officers) you get a savings of $2083 a year.

I am just sitting here laughing my @$$ off at every one of you spineless drones who voted for the 'contract'!

I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!

Apparently WLKY 32 has fallen out of love with the Mayor and Chief. I just saw a preview for a story called "Fighting Crime at The Curb". It airs monday @ 11 p.m. The previews showed citizens making positive statements about police cars being in th eneighborhood when the officer is off- duty.

Why did you delete my comment?

What's the deal with the 'Cordish deal'? I haven't heard that story, but as I understand it, King Jerry and his lawyer friends who are in an 'investment group' are huge recipients of the profits from 4th St Live and most other downtown property holdings. Anybody look into that?

Ok boys and girls here is the deal!.....The city was ready to settle the grievance about the $30, THIS WEEK. So arbitration was cancelled pending the deal and then Jerry pulls this. We didn't have a deficit when Jerry ran for office but now that he lost the firefighters lawsuit we have a deficit. The deficit comes from that and nothing else.

I PROMISE P.R.O.M.I.S.E. if the FOP doesn't protest everywhere the sorry SOB goes everyday I will quit the FOP. You have negotiated my last contract and you are doing nothing for me so I will do NOTHING for you.

I resigned my position on my special team today and I expect ALL of you to do the same. You are not SWATT, HNT, SRT, or HDU you are police officers, dads, moms, and citizens and you need to make a stand! NOW! NOW! NOW!

See you at the FOP on Monday!

Do the math, WE the employee is going to be paying $3-$5 million dollars a year to drive our cars (and by policy make runs and take action while monitoring the radio for zero pay) that is approx. 25% of the so called deficit. Why are we paying 25% out of our pockets..........no departmental budget was adjusted we were adjusted! Grabbed by the short ones and adjusted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about we quit having Comstat weekly! How much gas is wasted on that dog and pony show? Stop doing ANYTHING other than making your runs........no tickets, no arrests, no nothing.

If you do anything off duty get paid for it. I promise coming to and from court I will be making traffic stops and getting overtime, IF I decide to keep my car.

Wow...it's really funny to read all these complaints from people that actually seem concerned. You guys seem so passionate about parking your cars that I almost believe that you could do it! Wait, I have been around long enough to know that the police department is full of people that like to talk the talk, but when it comes to crunch time they will fold like a Sgt on probation. They will all start doing the math and see that the actual value of having a "free" car and paying some money is still better than having your own car and paying all the maintenance and gas. The men and women of LMPD will not look to the greater good of all involved but rather what they as individuals stand to lose or gain. There will be no line drawn in the sand! We have not been united since merger and that is the way the powers that be like it! Divided we fall...and how we have fallen!

Everyone keeps ******** about the FOP doing this or not doing that, how about you do something! Here is a novel idea, try going to an FOP meeting, attendance sucks! It's hard for them to speak for the majority of us when you only have 10 active members show up to a meeting! As for me, they can take that car and shove it. I refuse to pay for the privilege of helping this community on my own time I have sacrificed enough!

Bo-one

Anyone know a way to get paid for traveling to and from court since we are required to go? I know we get the $50 for actually being there but what about the gas that I will be required to spend to get there and back? If they want to take take take, then I guess I will do my own taking.

For all of you complaining about FOP 614 how many of you actually attend a meeting?? My guess would be not many since attendance usually consist of about 20 people. Anyway, you can blame this issue on the FOP or you can show up to the meeting on Monday and together come up with a response to the mayor - this issue can divide you if you let it (which this administration would love) or this issue can bring true solidarity - you decide.......

This is the last straw and if we fail this test as a united FOP, we will have zero credibility left and future contracts will be a joke, not to mention no one in Metro government will ever take us serious again. I don't want to drive my personal car to and from work but, like many already posted, I am sick of being screwed by that fathead mutherf#cker. I will drive my own damn car to work and like it! If we are going to have to pay extra money SOMEWHERE, I'd prefer that P.O.S. not get it. Please, all troops that are LT's and below, park your car and drive your own. We will eventually prevail, but we have to do what we do best, sit back with patience and with tactics and with unity and let the others F up. I understand that many of us live tight already, but I am willing to pick up an extra night of off duty to make up the difference. I have worked many off duty gigs in my P.O.V. in the past. Explain to your significant other why it is imperative and why our future depends on it. It is time to set this greedy and irresponsible Metro Government straight after five years of poor management. "Support your fellow officer, support parking your car...Our future depends on it."

OFFICERS NEED TO QUIT WORKING OFF-DUTY JOBS. THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE VISIBILTY. LMPD OFFICER

Commercial Break

Officers fuel charge 30.00 a month (1000 take homes = 30,000.00 a month

Officers new fuel charge 75.00 a pay or 150.00 a month (1000 take home = 150,000.00 a month

Officers dropping off police vehicles surrounding city hall on Tues with no fuel in vehicle and leaving keys at city hall

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! let him have the vehicle back

Police 101 Apply for a hardship transfer to the division that you live in. Ask a beat officer to pick you up at the end of thier shift and the beginning of yours. Repeat as necessary

JOHNSTONE, RICHARD NEIL

DEPUTY MAYOR

MAYOR'S OFFICE

LOUISVILLE METRO

$115,331

SUMMERS IV, WILLIAM E

DEPUTY MAYOR

MAYOR'S OFFICE

LOUISVILLE METRO

$115,331

ABRAMSON, JERRY E

MAYOR

MAYOR'S OFFICE

LOUISVILLE METRO

$105,746

TIVITT, SHANNON L.

CHIEF OF STAFF-MAYOR'S OFFICE

MAYOR'S OFFICE

LOUISVILLE METRO

$89,903

***CAUTION*** IF WE GIVE IT UP, AS WE HAVE IN PAST, WE WILL NEVER GET IT BACK! REMEMBER THAT ROOKIES THAT HAVE 20 OR SHOULD I SAY 25 YEARS TILL' RETIREMENT! ...

All voluntary specialized teams need to quit ASAP. HNT, SWATT, BOMB SQD ETC.

its about time the city did something about the lmpd take home cars, the best thing to do make lmpd officers pay for them lol,

lmpd needs to be like other big city police departments be a sgt.or higher ranks, etc...

but this plan will help the city of Louisville, and will save a lot of money.

No car No problem

1st when you report to work and you are under min. you ask your sgt to type a letter up stating you are under min.

2nd you fax that letter to the FOP after several letters throughtout the department you then file a unsafe work enviroment action against the cheif and mayor.

3rd think outside the box

This is really just so sad. Not to add fuel to the fire, but I was told that we might not have any insurance come January 1st 2009 either. No car...no insurance...no raises....hmmmm. I think the city is going to be way less than 150 short (current shortage).....people are going to resign left and right.

This is something that is bugging me. The news is reporting about the mayor giving about 4500 employees, "non essential" employees I should say, 3 days off without pay. If these guys are "non essential" then I would estimate they make around $15 an hour. $15 times 8 hours times 3 days is $360. $360 versus us at around $2000 that we would be out if we paid for the cars. Why isn't that the story instead of these guys losing $360? We got hosed with $360 already if we took the cars home and didn't work off duty, now that is going to almost $2000. Why are the "essential" employees having to pay so much more? That is bs. Apparently we are essential but still not worth a d*** to this mayor and chief.

Also, it really makes me sick to think of the salaries the command staff makes knowing they apparently don't do anything to try to get the mayor and chief to fix all the problems we have. $95000 to majors who know we don't have enough man power and apparently don't care as long as they can make the compstat numbers look good.

I knew this Mayor was a snake the first 12 or so years I worked for the city pre-merger, and I really shouldn't be surprised, but this really takes the cake.

It's interesting that there's not a 4th (or more) option thrown out there to us, and that being we can simply opt out of the take home car program and keep our v-time, raises, and pay ZERO per pay. I simply can't see the logic of paying $150.00 a month for HIS car, when I can just add a little to that and pay for a new vehicle of my own, and then it's MINE after it's paid for!

As sad as it is to face, there's no way we'd ever get the entire membership to stick together and make a mass statement such as lining the cars all the way around Metro Hall and locking the keys inside! (As entertaining as that would be!)

There's reasons why some officers will do anything at all to keep their cars (e.g. courtesy apartment with marked car requirement, off-duty jobs, etc...), and frankly I suppose that's their perogative.

Personally, if this really materializes the way I'm thinking it will (read: Mr. Mayor getting his wish and screwing us again), I will simply give them the damn thing, and buy my own vehicle.

It's the newer officers I've got to feel a little sorry for, I'm sneaking up on my 20 and thank GOD it's only a couple of years that I'm out of here!

1. No more "Pro Active"

2. 10-49 = State Forms

3. 2 Man runs are just that 2 units

4. All runs made from division or where ever platoons decide to wait

5. No Blood, No foul- no arrests unless it is absolutly necessary(by KRS)

6. Every where the mayor goes, We go

7. Everyone take 1 week......No Off duty(I know it will hurt finacially but it will cost you alot more in the long run) let 4th st, Bardstown rd, and buisnesses call when they need the Police(I hope we are not below minimums)

8. Squirells (which I am) Join the team and ride it out. Just look at it as stocking food for winter. When we make our point there will be plenty of NUTS to go get.

I have been a police officer here for 19 years and for 19 years the mayor has been holding the cars over our heads. We have taken pay cuts to keep the cars in the form of horrible pay raises or no pay raise, (remember a few years ago going without a raise to help the budget), and horrible working conditions (no backup and to few officers to safely make runs. How many domestics have you made on your own?) resulting in alot of officers having to work two jobs to keep thier famlies feed and clothed. When is it going to stop. I'm feed up with being held hostage over my car. I can not afford the money they are talking about coming out of my pay check since I'm bearly making it now. If I lose $200 a month I will be forced to cut back someplace else and now I'm thinking about pulling out of the FOP to save money. Thats the only option that I have when I look at my pay check. No I'm not mad at anyone in the FOP it is just economics. Maybe if this car issue is forced on us the FOP will suspend taking dues out of our checks until we get pass this economy crunch. That way we can stay in the FOP and maybe be repayed some of the money that we have payed into it for several years. What would a real union do for its members??

The good thing about not driving a police car is that once you get out of it at the end of your shift and get in you own car you can REALLY be off duty !!!! No more stopping for accidents or being flagged down on stuff. Also no more knocks at your front door in the middle of the night by someone asking directions !!!!!!

Doesn't this POS Mayor get a supplement to his salary from Louisville Businesses as a trade off for favors? If this is true shouldn't he take that money and put it into the general fund? Yeah right!!!

We must park our cars. They don't want to make it easy, so lets turn them.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Love Jerry Ron

This dept has never stood up togetherand it wont this time. It is too unorganized. Sorry...but true.

I will gladly be turning in my car and will not be working any more off duty that requires a police vehicle.

I will have to go out and purchase a car to use, and I do not care if it costs me more than the $150 that Mayor Merry wants.

My money earned by placing MY LIFE on the line every day WILL NOT go to bail out the Mayor!!

I REFUSE to bail out the leader of the City because for the 2nd year in a row they have mismanaged their budget.

There are no programs getting cut that could withstand being placed on hold until next year!

It's funny, last year was 9 million, this year it is 20 million short. I would definitely say that it is now RAINING!!

but how much money is coming from the rainy day fund to help out. If this is just a calm before the storm, they everyone better stock up on A$$LUBE!!!

Let's give the cars back, I'm tired of the mayor crapping on public service. Without cars it's one less thing he can use against us, then we hit him at every turn every time he violates anything in the contract no matter how small. If he wants to pick a fight we can take a mess right to his doorstep. Looking forward to 02/16/2010

Ok. I have been seeing here and hearing the term new people, rookies etc. telling them to park the cars, yada yada yada. you guys need to talk to the vets also. I heard 3 Lt.s and several Sgts. complaining (that means I will have to buy a car I'm not going to do that $200 per month is cheaper) they all had 15 + years on. Think about how that looks to these "new" guys most of you want to point fingers at. The ones not willing to give them up will be you senior officers. Watch and see. Listen to what they are saying. It is going to take more than the newbies to be on board. They will follow suit if the vets do it, I promise you. They are more swayed by peer pressure than anyone.

Welcome to jerrys Thanksgiving Dinner!!!! jerry eats first,then his staff. Next I will let L.M.P.D. staff eat. (Lt's and above.) Once everyone is full , i will let Sgts and Officers eat the scraps. Be sure to come back next month for Christmas Dinner.......... Possibility City.

Food for thought:

Lets just say these rates never get any higher. (LOL)

If you are a rookie with 25 years to go NOT working part time you will pay $48,750.00.

If you are a rookie with 25 years to go WORKING part time you will pay $68,250.00.

The city purchases a new Crown Vic for $23,000.00

If all of the MDTs are installed with the mandatory ILEADs and Arbitrator and specific to each officer, how will it work if you have to show up to the district and pick a car. It won't work! The MDT's won't work with just any camera or mount in any car!

PARK THE CARS!

Give the car's up. new and old we need to stick together on this one and send a message. That message will be stronger of we are all on a united front. That united front needs to be F%$K the mayor and his cars

I am sorry. Where is all the money Jerry? What have you done with all of it? Did nobody tell you that if you spend frivolously that when the bills come in and the checks start bouncing that you are the only one to blame for it? I am sick and tired of him blaming everyone else for his mismanagement. I am sorry that everyone else has to suffer because he has been a fool.

No more bargaining. See you at the KIA store. I will drive a bucket before giving him anymore money. If eveyones does the same whats the worse thing that could happen. Do you think Teamsters or UAW would stand for something like this to their workers. I think NOT!!!!! They have what we don't have the ability to strike. Sure we can slow down but there are some down falls such as the people who do support lose our protection. It should be like Sir can have your license and do you support Jerry. If yes I will be right back with your ticket or step out because your under arrest.

Essentially we are paying a 210 dollar lease for a car that we will never own. Dave Ramsey would give this a big thumbs down. I have got to cut down on my own budget and paying for not owning something is just plain stupid. This is like the government bailing out the big 3. They to have overspent and now there trying to shaft the taxpayers. In this case we are the govt and the taxpayer getting it with no vaseline.Park it. Guys in the 4th how many parking spots are available there about 30 tops. How about the 8th it will be a long walk to go from your car to the library. The 7th doesn't have enough room for 80 cars. The 2nd could park them all over the neighborhood that Jerry built. The 3rd doesn't have the room and neither does the 5th or the 1st. I am going to take all of my personal belongings out because when we are forced to park them in some parking lot there s**t is the only thing taken.

To my brothers and sisters of 614. I have one thing to say. The public did not do this to us. I hired on to serve and will continue to serve. I understand the emotions of this. I am in this too. I will not and cannot give less to the public. They are not to blame. The mayor is taxing us without representation and needs to be hauled into court, whether it is civil or of public opinion will be determined. Do not do one thing less for the public while on duty. If the FOP says park em, park em. Go back and forth to work and then do your job. No member of the Louisville community that we serve deserves anything less. I will march or protest with my bothers and sisters. I will not do anything to cause harm to the public. That is my choice and my opinion.

The time for UNITY is NOW!!!! To all of the naysayers reminding us all how we never stand together, I hear you and aknowledge how right you are. It can't be denied. History proves your point for you. However, we are in a current malestrom of "change". From top to bottom. We can change as well. I offer up a challenge to all of us and espeacially to those who are jaded. We have been blessed with a wonderfull opportunity to make a statement. A statement that will legitamize our union. We MUST make that statement if we want to have any chance in the future of gaining benefits. Let's use this golden ticket to show that we are a professional, knowledgable, level headed membership who will stand up for what is just. Let's tell the Mayor, thanks for the offer, but, no thanks. Thanks for the use of the cars while they lasted, but, here is your car, do with it what you see fit. Thanks for the the chance to serve and protect, it is what we were born to do. We will continue to be professional because our citizenry deserves nothing less. We will do so while refusing to relenquiush our contracted pay and benefits. We will not be your rainy day fund Mr. Mayor! We will be everpresent and watching you , Mr. Mayor, to ensure that you can no longer pull the wool over the eyes of a citizenry that deserves so much more. We need to send this message with a clear and unanimous voice. So set aside your pessimism. Let's see if this solidarity experiment can work......We've already tried it the other way. Stay strong brothers and sisters, keep the moral high ground, and we cannot lose no matter what happens..............See you all Monday night and GOD Bless

Not that i am for any of the options, because i think we should park them but i heard there was actually four plans, does anyone know what the other one is?

TO ALL THE C.O.'S YES YOU REMIND WE ALL TOOK AN OATH, SO DID JERRY. (its time to lay down)

In the past I have never used the term "X-Ray" before my car number, while off duty and calling out on something. This is because if I am driving my police car, I have always considered myself to be on duty. You are a target while in a police car, anything can happen and you must be prepared to react. While in a police vehicle we get flagged down, come upon accidents and encounter citizens in need of help. Everyone benefits from the take home police car program including the citizens and the Mayor. The take home car program gives the perception that there are more police on the streets, because we all know there are really very few.

I am tired of the Mayor hating the police and hanging this car over our heads to milk more money from us and give us below cost of living raises. Very often when I drive this police vehicle I have to stop and take police action, so I would be paying the Mayor to work while I am off. Does this make sense to anyone including our Liberal media that never report any of the bad decisions and frivolous spending habits of our glorious Mayor? Our Mayor that says he is taking a 10% decrease of his salary until the end of this fiscal year. In reality this means he is really only taking a 5% cut of his salary of $105,000, which is hardly noticeable when you make this kind of money. Such a small price to pay for such large expensive mistakes that he continues to make.

So from now until I "PARK IT", if I need to stop to help a citizen while off, I will call out as XRAY......

After that we can just call out on the portable radios and advise what we are riding by in our personal vehicle and that we no longer have the ability to stop and help the citizens of what I thought were my community but now have figured out "Jerry's community".

Unfortunately for the community we will no longer be able to stop for you if you have been involved in an accident, if you are stranded with your small children on a busy expressway and have no cell phone, if you are in a mobile domestic "getting the crap knocked out of you" while we are driving behind you in our personal vehicle observing this, if you are broken down in the roadway and need me to block traffic and push you to safety, if your store has thieves inside stealing as I was just walking in for a lottery ticket while off duty, if a priority run is put out and I am right in front of the location. All of these situations and many more have happened while being off duty and driving my police vehicle.

To the citizens of this community that I took the oath to protect and possibly give my life for someday, I am sorry but this Mayor has reached an all time low. I already do and will continue to work for you on holidays, events, and weekends instead of spending time with my family. I cannot justify to myself or my family to pay money to work for you while I am off. I will no longer be in a police car while off-duty and be monitoring the radio to hear the broadcast put out that you were just carjacked, pistol whipped, and your stolen car with the suspect driving it, is right in front of me. The Mayor is now not only taking from us but taking safety away from you and your families.

So as a "Metro (not city-not county) C.O.", I will also be "PARKING" my police vehicle.

I truly understand why most members of our department are now applying for St. Matthews and J-Town and "laying down". I use to be so proud to work for Louisville as a police officer, but now this Mayor has me counting the years until I can retire. What a sad time it has become for the Louisville Metro Police Department and the citizens of this community.

So SAD..... I talk to to others and they say that they are going to keep the car and pay because it will be CHEAPER, that may be so but do they not understand that they are only hurting the rest of us and themselves by giving in to this idiot?

No enough isn't enough! Apparently paying for the privilege of policing in your off time is not enough. The Chief is trying to figure out a way to run all off duty work as well. They want to take a couple dollars off the top to help generate more income for big head Jerry. They can't even run what they have, won't that be fun!

I wonder if any of the geniuses in metro government trying to think of ways to trim the fat from the budget have given any consideration to how many millions of dollars are wasted each year for gas and maintainance on the JCPS bus fleet. I'm no economic mastermind but it seems that if we followed the recent Supreme Court decision and went back to neighborhood schools instead of busing kids all the way across the county, a large amount of money would suddenly become available. Not to mention the number of families that would be able to drop thier children off at school themselves which would likely decrease the number of buses needed on a day to day basis.

Ladies Gentleman,

I will be parking my car. I like the TARC idea posted below, but to be honest will probably drive a beater in. But no more will I come in early. No more will I give any of my time. I will walk in at my exact time to start... not a minute early, not a minute late. I will no longer monitor my radio when I am driving... after all I will be in my car, not theirs.

Respectfully,

T. Schardein

I have a spending problem and I can't seem to stop. So in order to help me out again this year, I am asking you to pay for the use of a police car, by sending all contributions by way of a generous deduction from your paycheck. Golly gees I sure do love being able to keep using this car thing against you all. You guys are such suckers. Anyway, these very large, absurd, contributions will give me more money to spend on some more granite curbing and projects that I want and as you know this is my world, you and the citizens of da Ville are just living in it. Plus, you will also be helping me by showing more of a police presence when you are off. I just love getting a two for one special. I don't ask this much from other government employees because they might strike, but I know you can't. That is why I gave them 3 furlough dates on days they would have wanted off anyway, duh no brainer. You police officers are just the best about taking my continuous demands, bending over quietly, and doing nothing about it. So, until next time when I come back for more,

Thanks so much and "Have a Fairy Jerry Christmas and a Happy Big Headed New Year"

Aren't our vacation days, pay raises and holiday pay guaranteed by our contract? So he can't just take them, right?

It goes without saying that we all need to come together on this issue. I am for parking the cars, however we should all take the opportunity to go the meeting on Monday so a "REAL" game plan can be put together. If we cannot put together a unified response to this piece of SH* then we should never complain about anything again and just bend over and take it.

The Citizens and Mayor gets several hundred thousand FREE man hours every year from on duty officers.

I MEANT OFF DUTY....To many thoughts running in my head

On Monday the FOP President needs to tell the media that there will be a huge RIPPLE affect if the take home car program changes. Yes there are many cities with out take home cars but NONE the size of LOUISVILLE that has the LOW LOW crime rate that Louisville does. The Mayor can kiss bye bye to the SAFEST CITIES list ever again.

I'm a Detective and while on duty I back up 1 officer or cancel both Officers on many many calls. I will no longer check out a pool car just to make runs in the divisions. The beat guy will suffer making more runs, the citizens are going to suffer by waiting longer (if you can believe that) than they do now, which is longgggggggg. The CRIMINALS WILL BENEFIT!!!

I give the Citizens and Mayor hundreds of FREE man hours every year while OFF DUTY, while all LMPD OFF DUTY officers give thousands and thousands and thousands of FREE man hours and that can never be duplicated with 8-10 beat guys a shift. Think of all the officers that came in during the wind storm, blizzards, tornados, Derby, Broadway crusing, Thunder over Louisville, marathon, iron man etc......(countless more) We all had cars and could do instant police work. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE! I will report to roll call and they can get me to my post. When a car blows through the cheap barricades, God help who ever is in its path, before I could pull them over in the police car. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!

John McGuire you needs to look into the news camera's Monday and speak to every business owner, bank, University, High School, neighborhood group, small city that hires LMPD, all citizens and tell them this is the time to speak up and SUPPORT LMPD officers, because their safety, security and Police service WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! Yes, it is a perk for Officers (obviously)but without this perk LOUISVILLE KY will change negatively FOREVER. Tell them to e-mail the Mayor at Jerry(dot)Abramson@louisvilleky.gov (I had to spell dot or this site will delete my post) or CALL THE MAYOR DIRECTLY at his desk 574-5079 and tell him to STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!

The RIPPLE AFFECT IS COUNTLESS AND DANGEROUS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY!

AMEN!

Have a Very Merry Jerry Christmas

1. Extra $100 a month for overtime for turning vehicles in to station after late runs.

2. No longer paying $30 a month for vehicle.

3. No longer giving my free time to work while driving to and from work.

4. No more taking care of stranded vehicles and accidents on way to court during rush hour. (I like this one)

5. No more taking care of problems in the niegborhood.

This is sounding better the more I think about it.

How many times have we made a domestic and thought what an idiot this person was for putting up with their miserable, controlling, threatening, conniving other half? They apparently put up with it out of fear because they are weaker, scared, and/or easily manipulated we always thought to ourselves or explained to others. Time to get rid of the manipulating, lying, cheating other half holding us hostage with a car of all things. The "mayor for life" is going to continue to take from us until we stop letting him do it to us. I'm giving myself my $30 per month back and as a group I sure hope everyone else has the nads to do the same. Just my opinion but hope it helps put things in perspective.

You know I would love to see the cars parked and showing the administration that we do not want or need their cars BUT I cannot think of any time (except for the firing of Col Sherrard) that the rank and file came together. I came from a smaller dept that did not have takehome vehicles and everyone did just fine. It looks like alot / some of the officers here in Louisville only have the take home car and no other vehicles and that is why they don't want to loose what they have and will pay whatever they have to to keep it. Everyone has to decide what is best for them and their family as for me they can have my vehicle as I already have a beater to drive back and forth. There will always be those who are willing to give up what they have to keep something else. Just remember that if you start to give back they will only take more and more. As for giving up your 2% raise, it does not sound like much right now but all your future raises will be calculated on what you are making NOW as your base. Once you give it up you will never get it back. One officer thought maybe jerry was only going to hold back the raise until good times come........Once it is gone it is gone forever. You will never get that 2% back and it will only compound over the years on what you could have made.

UNITY IS THE ONLY WAY TO SHOW THAT THESE OPTIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I was in inservice friday when the Chief came in and dropped this on the class. That guy had no regret about what he was doing. He even ended his little speech by saying, "Have a Happy ThanksGiving and if you bought two turkeys take one back." He has no class. All I can say is we're on the 1 yard line with the Mayor and Chief and I think it's about time we broke our foot off in their a$$. I'll be parking my car...the Mayor won't be fixing his problems with my money.

People are of course focusing on the mayor screwing us yet again but remember, the chief is just as guilty on this one. He is supposed to be our leader but he comes up with this plan to screw his officers out of $2000 when other city employees will lose much less. Thanks for the leadership.

Here is another thought for hizzoner to consider:

When he ends the take home car program, he will have to contend with more than disgruntled Officers. he will have to deal with business leaders that are incessed over not having a police presence either as off duty workers or officers at their business shopping, having lunch etc... The purpose of the cars was never to give the Officers a perk, it was designed to give the appearance of more Officers on the street. It was started in the 70's and called the OMNI car program for LPD. Instead of two Officer patrol cars there were now 1 Officer cars. We have less police Officers on the street now then we did in the 70's but we have the appearance of having quite a few more because you can always see marked units moving about.

This is a deterent to crime and traffic problems. This is a boon to the community. I have stopped and helped people many times while I am off duty. I never put in for overtime because it was understood that it was something we just did for the bennefit of having the car.

Ask my neighbors if they like having a marked unit parked in our neighborhood.

Oh by the way Jerry I will expect you to bring my division up to OSHA regulation standards immediately and provide every Officer a locker to store all of the required equipment, uniforms etc... because I am not required to put any of your crap in my personal car, So lets see I have riot gear, CIT Shotgun, regular Shotgun, pepperball gun, mdt, ticket books and assorted paperwork, bls gear... I think you get the ppicture. It all doesn't fit in the 8" by 2 1/2 foot locker that I currently have. I wonder how much that will cost the taxpayers????

By the way there also has to be adequate shower facilities in the men's and women's restrooms for us to be able to change in and out of after shift. Better get right on that pal.

Listen officers, we can have fun with this. I personally will drive my "legal-beater" to the division with plastered bumper stickers all over it or decorated like one of those art cars. Wait and see. Also, after we all get our cars, I am going to come up with a bumper sticker to hand out to put on everyones "legal-beater" that states I drive this car because Jerry took my police car away. Screw him and the rest. I once had a POS 1978 Toyota Celica that was the bo shizizzle to drive and lots of fun and GOT 32 mpg...Also the FOP can organize a legal beater car show for all of us buying cars to get to work. I'm going back to high school days -20 years ago and going find another beater that was fun to drive. 24 inch wheels and thump baby. I'll JOIN Broadway this year, not "enforce" it...Jerry cant touch me or bug me so **** you Jerry!

Ha Ha Ha

TO THE FOP LEADERSHIP: I hope that you have been reading and are continue to these comments from your brothers and sisters. This is your chance to prove to your membership just how willing you are to stand up to these socialist pigs. News conference with the 41,32,11 3 and spill out everything. Let people see that his 10% pay cut really isnt, how much these "projects"are costing, how pathetic our contract is to other departments our size, how the omni program has improved the lives of the citizens of Louisville and what will happen when its gone, how many officers we are really short ( not counting recruits in training,or in PTO phases), officer to run ratio, officer to citizen ratio,officer to square mile ratio(two officers to a beat that is half the size of a urban division). If it takes voicing these on a full page ad in the newspaper I dont think the membership would disapprove, if it takes making flyers and handing them out at the malls or placing them on cars I dont think you would have a hard time finding volunteers, if it takes getting a ad on the radio or tv then I dont think you'd have a problem, picketing the downtown business district. We need a way to get the message of how bad this Mayor has treated us and everyone else in emergency services to EVERYONE in the city. We need to show the public that we are people just like them, that we have families and morgage payments,school tuition payments,car loan payments that not all of us will be able to make. Show how our children's christmas will be ruined by the decisions he is making. PR is all about appealing to everyone, so lets do it, but lets do it professionally. The last thing we need is for the Mayor and his news cronies to be able to turn our actions against us, let us not act childish and vindictive.

Let us stand as one.. It will take time and determination but at least we can say 1,2,3yrs down the line that we fought.

Just a opinion from a p***ed off officer of 11yrs.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I have stated on an earlier post, I will be parking the assignment government vehicle.

On having a minute to reflect, I have decided that this is an opportunity I can work to my advantage. When I started it was not uncommon for me to meet with members of my platoon for suds, typically on an off day (we were A/B schedule then)... Now the mayor and our command staff have GIVEN us the opportunity to meet at a local establishment, after driving our own cars (riding TARC, horseback or whatever conveyance you may choose) and have bottle of suds, a glass of rye, or whatever floats your boat / sinks your cork / etc, etc... We will be off duty and PSU will have no authority on our actions, heck some of them may even join us.

To my platoon mates, the 1st round is on me.

Respectfully,

Tom

Stand together and park the cars. I am tired of that carrot being dangled in front of my nose. These people who eat breath and sleep police work our nuts anymore for that. I used to be one of them until I got pooped on about 6 months ago by some off-duty who had nothing better to do at Gene Snyder and I-71 south bound just south of the Oldham county line. Thats right I was in Jefferson County, no one filed a formal complaint against me in case you haven't heard the real story, just someone trying to make a name for themself I geuss. I was wrong, I broke the rule served out my punishment, lessoned learned. I currently also pay the fee, even though I cannot drive it home. I also understand it is my choice to live out of county, and I will continue to do so. But I hope to god that our current FOP officials will bring us together and make a stand for once for something, don't lay down and not do or say anyhting. I remember the night of the election last year when our newly elected FOP official gave a short acceptance speech in which he said and I quote " the newly elected pres and vice our going to be giving the lodge back to the membership ..." well now its time to stay in town for little while, and handle this S%$# once and for all.

D.Payne

Priests last request

An old priest who for years had faithfully served the people of Louisville, lay dying in the hospital. He motioned for his nurse to come near.

"Yes, Father?" said the nurse.

"I would really like to see MAYOR ABRAMSON and CHIEF WHITE before I die," he

whispered.

"I'll see what I can do, Father," replied the nurse, and she respectfully

forwarded the request to Metro Call and waited for a response.

Surprisingly, soon the word arrived. Abramson and White would be delighted to

visit the priest.

As they made their way to the hospital, Abramson commented to White, "I don't

know why the old priest wants to see us, but the media coverage will certainly

help our images."

White couldn't help but agree.

When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took White's hand in his

right hand and Abramson's hand in his left. There was silence and a look of

serenity on the ancient cleric's face.

Finally White spoke, "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why

did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?"

Taking a deep breath, the old priest painfully replied, "I have always tried

to pattern my life after our Lord and Savior."

"Amen," said Abramson.

"Amen," said White.

The old priest continued, "He died between two lying thieves and I would

like to do the same."

I notice this was lead story on the 6:30 Channel 11 news. Good for them, now lets get all the rest on board.

I, for one, am DONE! I'm sorry, I'm done risking my life at a job where I am not appreciated by the people I serve; until now, it was taken into account that that is our job, and I understand it still is- but now we have the very people who employ us telling us that we do not matter. We are simply an 'asset' to be manipulated for financial gain. We are a tool to be used, used, and used again when bad decisions are made by the mayor and he needs a bail-out. The polce department and it's officers have become the mayor's 'rainy day savings account'. He has stripped our budget time and time again, placing manpower and equipment needs behind personal projects such as granite curbs and walking paths. These things must be more important to the public as well, as Abramson keeps getting re-elected as the citizen's chosen leader.

I have a family that I work to support, so I'll continue this job for the few years I have left. I will not, however, choose to pro-actively engage in any law enforcement behavior not mandated by KRS (domestic arrests, etc).

Mayor Abramson has shown me, without a doubt, that my life is worthless to him. I will not sacrifice my safety or my family's security for this community anymore.

I will enjoy my anonymity outside of my set work hours from now on.

There's your car, chief; keys are in it.

Why don't we all just give the cars back, and we'll start a carpool list in each division/unit?

I am guessing the mayor was making at least $500,000 off the pay for the cars already considering probably everyone at least bent over for the $30 like I did and some are paying $60. All it takes is about 250 officers to continue to pay, even if they aren't working off duty, and he still comes out the same. Everyone has to be in on this or he isn't going to lose anything, we are just going to lose the convenience of driving the cars that are really our offices. $162.50 a month to drive the car, no thanks. With gas back down I won't be spending $40 a week driving my own car to and from work and I am sure not going to end up pay him and the chief part of my money to work for them.

Who wants to split the cost of a month of unlimited CARFAX reports for some use-car research?

The Lodge hall should be packed tommorrow. This affects every single one of us. It not only about the money, there is a huge principal involved here. We have a contract with metro government. While the cars aren't specifically in the contract, wages, hours and working conditions are. MEMBERS are not allowed to subcontract the agreement between Lodge 614 and Metro Government. Essentially he is trying to write a seperate contract where we give up bennefits (raises and v-time) which he cannot do.

There is also the point that we did not cause this mess. The take home car program did not cause this mess. Jerry Abramson and his poor decision making did. He overspent, we didn't. This program has paid for itself in cost savings for years. He saves over 21% if the fuel budget alloted with this program. He saves about 80% of the cost of repairing and maintaining vehicles with a take home car program. He saves a fortune because the cars last 8 years instead of having to be replaced every 6 months. He saves money by not having to switch our equipment every time a car is taking out of service and a new one put into service. (can you imagine what it would be like and how many people he would have to hire to keep 300-400 cars equiped, running and replaced without the longevity achieved by this program?)

These are tough economic times, but the idea of charging your employees money to come to work is ludicrous at best. I for one will be happy to park my car and then let the party start. When Officers can't make runs immediately because national studies show that if you have to transfer equipment to a pool car every day that it takes about 21 minutes for Officers to hit the streets(compaired to instantly or as they are on their way into roll call now) Add the same amount of time onto the end of the shift and you can already see that Police patrols and enforcement activities as well as the safety of the citizens of our community will be jepardized.

Lastly the safety of the community will be put to the test because there won't be Officers in marked units as a visible presence and a visible deterent to crime in neighborhoods and businesses all accross our community. As you can plainly see it isn't about dollars and cents it is about common sense, something Abramson is clearly lacking.

On the front page of Saturday's Courier-Journal,

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson stated:

"City to furlough workers 3 days". Police, Fire, Emergency

Medical services would NOT be affected. Everyone knows we are in a financial

crisis. However, what we are not told is that the Louisville Metro Police are

being asked to either pool their Patrol cars that they take home, loose their pay raise, or pay $150/month to take home the cars.

Our brave men

in uniform, who put their lives on the line for us every day, are under-paid,

often disrespected, and

work long hours. Statistically, their

income is one of the lowest in the country for a city of this size. What the

Mayor doesn't realize is that by taking home their patrol cars there are three

times as many Police cars on the road, compared to a single Police shift, where

only one third as many cars are on the road. This is certainly a

"deterrent to crime". When a Police car is present, people do not

know if the officer is on

duty or not. Decreasing the number or

police cars on the road could lead to more crime. I personally feel safer

seeing more police cars present, and believe many other Louisville residents

would agree. The City also has a hiring freeze on any new police training and

enrollment.

I implore

the Mayor and the City of Louisville to allow our Police to continue to take

their patrol cars home for this reason, WITHOUT penalizing them financially.

The welfare, safety and security of our citizens must ALWAYS be TOP PRIORITY !

Kenneth

Kral, M.D.

Dear Mr Mayor,

I saw the look of pain and anguish upon the faces of you and some members of your staff as you nobly faced the media and proclaimed your self-imposed 10% pay cut. Needless to say I was moved....Moved to vomit.

With the minimum salary of you and your staff at $110,000 and several making over $150,000, you have the audacity to compare your paycuts to the cuts you wish to impose upon the city as a whole. Don't bother. It makes me sick to think people buy your act to appear righteous. Why don't you and your staff agree to take the pay of a 5 year police officer, firefighter or EMT?

Take a break Mr Mayor, six figure salaries cause too much stress.

I almost forgot your paltry six figure income is just what is reported. No wonder you shoved the Cordish deal down the councils throat. You knew this was coming and couldn't possibly explain to the public forking over city dollars for such an elaborate project and then turn around and demand belt tightening.

You are a morally deficient unscrupulous sociopath.

I'm just a citizen, but I just wanted to say I am sorry you guys are being treated this way. I have a few close friends within LMPD and it's just sad to see this happening to all of you. I support you guys in your fight and hope you give 'em hell. I consider what is being done nothing short of immoral and evil.

LAAAAYYYYYYY DOOOOWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!

They just don't get it. No one said an on duty officer won't be making his runs. What he wants to ignore is the effect of seeing more police cars on the streets and in neighborhoods has on crime. I guess he is just spouting the company line but he isn't even pretending to address the real issue.

Stupid, Stupid, Cops Thirty dollars a month for a take home car. Try paying your own car payment with thirty dollars a month. You should be required to pay for all fuel used when off duty especially those who are working second jobs in uniform. Maybe small business owners all over Louisville should stop giving you stupid cops free food and drink. But of course these things can't be figured out by cops its above their level of intelligence. I love the stupid cop math in the article stating that seventy five dollars a day adds up to $1950 per year. Stupid, Stupid cops Cry Cry Cry.

Noticed Riggs has been popping his mouth off to the media about how we should pay for the cars. Didn't expect anything different from a GOLDEN child who knows nothing about policing since he's never done nothing except use his family to keep from ever having to work the streets. I have no respect for this idiot and for the sake of the OFFICERS who do work SHUT YOUR MOUTH and keep out of our business. Why don't you and White and Turner show up at the FOP Monday and hear what your dept REALLY THINKS. Go on and go to lunch with your boss and Jerry and tell yourselves how great a job your doing. I just hope you all don't break your arms patting yourselves on the back saying how great a job your doing.

Mcquire, you are a poor excuse for a union rep. your inteview on WHAS made you look like a very uninformed union rep. Step down call cubby, david james or keeling back and the f.o.p. will unite around one of them. The officers of lmpd need a strong union and they need it now. This issued has been building over time to test the fop and the fop has never show unitity and failed . The fop better start acting as a union and the strong union it can be. Gather all the unions of the citys emergency workers and form a massive stand.

Maybe I am wrong but doesn't the city now owe LFD 20 million for back pay? If that figure is right it sure seems strange that the city is now 20 million in the hole. I dont blame the firemen but I see it as another way for Uncle Jerr to stick it to all public servants. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

WKP

This is horrible. Its a sad thing that the men and women of this community have to pay to go to work? I am truly outraged in this whole "Scandal" JERRY you act like you gave options? What about all the extra money you recieve or is that HUSH HUSH so you and your so called family have a happy holiday. YOU ARE A JOKE. I really can't believe this. LMPD already risks their lives, their families, and everything of which they love to help keep crime off our streets and they continiously get smacked in the face by you and your lousy "board" If you seriously think that anyone will pay to come to work think again. As far as this goes this city has went to pot, all he cares about is MONEY. Screw you Jerry and have a HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Holiday! Feel no shame or guilt about what you have done to the people who protect your ******** while you are sunggled up in bed with no worries in the world! LMPD I SUPPORT YOU ALL.

I busted out laughing when Riggs made the comment on the news how this situation will not compromise the security of the citizens of the community. Some people are clueless beyond disbelief and he represents everything the word "CLOWN" stands for, two fold. Wonder who he was trying to convince more, the viewers or himself?

Remember guys and gals, Armstrong's political career ended when he took us on. We do have power.

This moment is not surprsing with the way the economy is these days. I must say that those of you that voted for the contract are idoits and we would'nt be in the postion today that we are in. The take home car program was not addressed in the wonderful contract that everyone voted for. lol Yes the mayor doesn't take care of the community like he should he is more worried about the new arena and the cornis group developing third street for another fourth street live. Just what the community needs. I believe the FOP should stand up and fight for whatever possible and not lay down and let us get taken advantage of once again. Unfortunately, the sad part is in the past I have heard everyone talk a lot of ******** about stiicking together but it never happenned. I'm sorry to say that I will do everything I can to keep my car because it is more cost effective being a courtesy officer but that doesnt mean I'm not ******** about it. I will still have to pick up some off duty to get by. And dont blame the public for the mayors mistakes they are victims just like us. I dont understand why the community is made aware of the expensive projects the mayor is investing in instead of the city budget being prority. If I didnt have so much time invested in my career I would proudly park my car and leave tomorrow. Everyones circumstances should be considered in the decision that will be made. I will attend the meeting hopefully that will accomplish something. Because if nothing is accomplished the chief has stated that he will decide and I dont think he should have that right.

Remember that being on time for work means being there for roll call. It does NOT mean coming in early to find a pool car to get and loading all your gear into it or even checking to see see if it starts or is even safe to drive. The runs will have to wait for them to find a pool car gor you to drive and load your gear into it. They can NOT make you come in early to get THIER car ready for patrol. If you deem a police vehicle unsafe to drive, refuse to drive it. Call out of service until a safe mode of transportation is found FOR you. You are NOT required to FIND equipment to do your job.

I suggest that every FOP member that is angry over this injustice ask FOP President Mcguire what time he would like to meet at HQ to give the Chief OUR answer on Tuesday.

What is the only way this plan sticks? If you pay the city.

The mayor is banking on the majority of the officers to pay at least the $75 per check to bring in more money for the city. The answer to this is simple: DON'T PAY HIM! If we stick together on this and park our cars, then the plan will backfire on him. He won't get our money, not even the $30 or $60 that he is getting from us now. DON'T GIVE JERRY WHAT HE WANTS -- PARK YOUR CAR!!!

"Oh by the way Jerry I will expect you to bring my division up to OSHA regulation standards immediately and provide every Officer a locker to store all of the required equipment, uniforms etc... because I am not required to put any of your crap in my personal car, So lets see I have riot gear, CIT Shotgun, regular Shotgun, pepperball gun, mdt, ticket books and assorted paperwork, bls gear... I think you get the ppicture. It all doesn't fit in the 8" by 2 1/2 foot locker that I currently have. I wonder how much that will cost the taxpayers????

By the way there also has to be adequate shower facilities in the men's and women's restrooms for us to be able to change in and out of after shift. Better get right on that pal. "

I'm not doubting you, but if you can show everyone where OSHA states this must be than we can all lodge our complaints to OSHA. I will proudly lodge mine first. Thanks!!

What is the only way this plan sticks? If you pay the city.

The mayor is banking on the majority of the officers to pay at least the $75 per check to bring in more money for the city. The answer to this is simple: DON'T PAY HIM! If we stick together on this and park our cars, then the plan will backfire on him. He won't get our money, not even the $30 or $60 that he is getting from us now. Also, he cannot alter our raise and/or vacation time because it is in our contract. He can try, but those are battles we will win through the court system. DON'T GIVE JERRY WHAT HE WANTS -- PARK YOUR CAR!!!

What is the only way this plan sticks? If you pay the city.

The mayor is banking on the majority of the officers to pay at least the $75 per check to bring in more money for the city. The answer to this is simple: DON'T PAY HIM! If we stick together on this and park our cars, then the plan will backfire on him. He won't get our money, not even the $30 or $60 that he is getting from us now and he will be forced to rethink this plan. Also, he cannot alter our raise and/or vacation time because it is in our contract. He can try, but those are battles we will win through the court system. DON'T GIVE JERRY WHAT HE WANTS -- PARK YOUR CAR!!!

How will Jerry's plan work? IF WE PAY HIM!!!

The mayor is banking on the majority of the officers to pay at least $150 a month in order to bring the city more money. DON'T GIVE HIM YOUR MONEY! Everyone needs to park your cars. Let's see what happens when Jerry has to rethink his plan because he is not even getting the $30 or $60 a month that he is getting now, and all the cars are parked at the divisions. Don't worry too much about the raise or vacation time. He can try to take that from us, but that is a fight we will win in court. We can have a very strong voice in this matter if we all come together and PARK THESE CARS!!!

There is some extortion to the method as well. From what I heard the Chief made a comment that if you opt out of the take home car policy, you will not be allowed back in under his command. Way to threaten and twist some arms to get us to pay for a deficit we did not create.

John, there are 50 great reasons for the take home car program on this blog and you gave ZERO on the news. For god sake the FOP needs a spokesperson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Monday the FOP President needs to tell the media that there will be a huge RIPPLE affect if the take home car program changes. Yes there are many cities with out take home cars but NONE the size of LOUISVILLE that has the LOW LOW crime rate that Louisville does. The Mayor can kiss bye bye to the SAFEST CITIES list ever again.

I'm a Detective and while on duty I back up 1 officer or cancel both Officers on many many calls. I will no longer check out a pool car just to make runs in the divisions. The beat guy will suffer making more runs, the citizens are going to suffer by waiting longer (if you can believe that) than they do now, which is longgggggggg. The CRIMINALS WILL BENEFIT!!!

I give the Citizens and Mayor hundreds of FREE man hours every year while OFF DUTY, while all LMPD OFF DUTY officers give thousands and thousands and thousands of FREE man hours and that can never be duplicated with 8-10 beat guys a shift. Think of all the officers that came in during the wind storm, blizzards, tornados, Derby, Broadway crusing, Thunder over Louisville, marathon, iron man etc......(countless more) We all had cars and could do instant police work. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE! I will report to roll call and they can get me to my post. When a car blows through the cheap barricades, God help who ever is in its path, before I could pull them over in the police car. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!

John McGuire you need to look into the news camera's Monday and speak to every business owner, bank, University, High School, neighborhood group, small city that hires LMPD, all citizens and tell them this is the time to speak up and SUPPORT LMPD officers, because their safety, security and Police service WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! Yes, it is a perk for Officers (obviously)but without this perk LOUISVILLE KY will change negatively FOREVER. Tell them to e-mail the Mayor at Jerry(dot)Abramson@louisvilleky.gov (I had to spell dot or this site will delete my post) or CALL THE MAYOR DIRECTLY at his desk 574-5079 and tell him to STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!

How much more OT will the Mayor pay for Metro wide Detectives like Robbery, Homicide, Sex Crimes, CACU who get called out (all the time) on something 3-5 miles from there house and instead of driving to the scene and starting the investigation they have to drive 25 plus miles to downtown to pick up a pool car and drive back to the scene, then back to downtown to drop off their pool car. Thats a good hour plus extra of OT they would not have gotten.

Feel free to add to the list with legit thing! Like crappy wreck cars, never washed, high miles, falling apart, broke camera's, broken MDT's, Emergency lights out, head lights out. I am sure it will be an extra 150 posting!

The RIPPLE AFFECT IS COUNTLESS AND DANGEROUS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

I HOPE WE CAN STAND TOGETHER ON THE ISSUE OF THE CAR. I KNOW THAT MY INCOME IS NOT SO GREAT THE GIVING THE CITY 2000.00 A YEAR WONT HURT MY FAMILY. I KNOW THAT TIMES A TOUGH FOR THE CITY BUT ALSO FOR MY FAMILY .THERES NO OTHER JOB WERE PEOPLE CLEAN OUT THERE OFFICE EACH AND EVERY DAY JUST TO WORK AS WE WILL BE DOING VERY SOON AS IT SEEMS. WE ALL KNOW ITS ONLY ABOUT GETTING MONEY FROM US BECAUSE IF IT WAS ABOUT SAVING MONEY THEY WOULD SAY OFFICAL USE ONLY TO AND FROM WORK / COURT ( OFF DUTY ) BUT THATS NOT AND OPTION. SO PARK THE CAR

ANNE NORTHUP FOR MAYOR 2010

We have a unique moment in time here, folks. He is screwing the Firefighters, police and all the other Metro Employees all at once, while giving his buddies at Cordish another sweetheart of a deal. It is time we put aside our differences and get together with the rest of Metro Government and protest this mayor as one solid block of Metro employees. Yes, we are going to take the biggest hit, but there is strength in numbers. The more people that can get out the truth of how poorly run this government is the better.

I just thought it was a little asinine when the reporter said this will "save" the city 1.2 million dollars. Uh, excuse me? This is not cost-cutting from the city. What she meant was, this will be 1.2 million dollars pumped in by the cops. What a ridiculous concept. I'm not even a cop and watching this story made me angry. You guys are being so unbelievably sh-t on and it's not fair... and yeah, I'm a citizen and I pay for my own car payment and gas, and I still think you guys are being manipulated and abused by the system. A contract is a contract. They use the take-home car program to recruit people, so they should stick to the promise of the program. I hope someone with a better voice than the guys last night can stand up and help fight for you guys.

Now would be a great time for an independant law enforcement agency to open a criminal investigation into where all the money went. Perhaps the Sheriff?

Well, thank you for being cordial, and much better spoken than the other person. As to the integrity of the city council and the mayor, I am not defending them at all. I dont see this as a 1 right/1wrong issue. Do you have any idea how many people work year in/out with no pay raises, no vacations, no benefits, and long hours to boot? I dont have the option of working overtime for cash, and at an inflated rate at that. You complain about the meager raises and raised cost health care, but sorry, I just dont think it is justified. you ignore all of the other benefits that you give yourselves, you dont pay a bit of attention to your driving, because you know you are immune to taffic tickets that the rest of us have to deal with. By the way, I dont have a union arguing on my behalf, writing laws that make complaining about me difficult and all but impossible.

You ask me to see what he is upset about, and granted, but you cannot refuse to see what I am upset about, and being upset is no excuse to make the statements he did. I base evey one of my statements on facts, things I have observed, and the immature angry poster that you are speaking for cannot say that.

Think with your heads for a minute. That includes all you new guys and the Sgt's who think they can't do without these cars. If you give up the v-days and your raise from last july (which will be more than likely taken back) and your raise this year, you will never get it back. Don't even think of screwing the majority of us. We need to park the cars. Once the Puzzle Palace and the mayor take over off-duty, which is in the works, then the money you will be paying for off-duty will be a waste. if you give up benefits, they are gone forever. Forget about the courtesy apartments or how far you have to drive your pov or whatever excuse you can come up with for keeping the cars. I am tired of hearing "certain" officers and SGTS say it will be easier and cheaper to pay it than give them up. BS!! I guess you think that the mayor will won't try this again and be worse than now.

Some Gave All, All Gave Some!

Support each other. Your future depends on it.

I have read all these comments and I'm just wondering if all of you are as serious as you have tried to indicate in your comments. Are you willing to stand together and not cave in when Jerry The Lawyer tries to really make it hard on us. I know we all took this job to help the people but they don't really care. Abramson has been dumping on the west and south ends and those people just keep taking it. If that court house is empty then all of Jerry The Lawyer's buddies are going to want to know what is going on. Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, Anchorage Police Departments cannot keep the court house filled like we can. The Kool-Aid drinkers will try to get you to perform but all you have to do is answer the radio, show up on the run and take a report if that is required. There are only a couple of areas we are required to make an arrest but if the perp runs there is nothing that says he isn't allowed to out run us. All you have to do is make it look like you tried. You can't serve warrants if nobody answers the door. Maybe they didn't hear you knock. If everybody stands together they can't transfer everyone who isn't writing citations or making arrests. The FOP can't tell you to do this. Taking Abramson to court doesn't work, just go and ask all of those firefighters. He has held them up for years. Some of them have retired and some have gone to their graves and still weren't paid what they worked so hard for.

How bad was the looting after the wind storm blew through here? How come that hasn't made the news? How many of you worked out at the golf course while you did without electricity at your home that week? How come that information hasn't been in the news? I watched WAVE 3 last night and the barely let John McGuire talk, but they sure let that Kool-Aid drinker Riggs haves his say! The public doesn't care! How serious are all of you?! Personally I do my job to feed my family and no other reason. I am willing to stop until Abramson is show who is needed more. Us or him! Crime goes on and on no matter who the mayor is and the people out here need to be aroused from their sleep to realize that. People are going to be laid off here shortly because of the economy. That means crime is going to go up. Are you going to continue to fight it under Abramson's conditions or under ours?!

I will be waiting for all of you to decide what you truly think is important, so I can join you or continue to eke out a living for my family!

I do not live in Jefferson county ,But I have alot of friends who are LMPD. I think what your mayor(I say that in a loose manner,Your Mayor), is doing is very wrong! In Bullitt County the officers are allowed to take home their cars. They are paid a decent amount of money and are treated very well. If Bullitt can afford it why cant JeffersonCounty? I know why. The Mayor of Jefferson County is selfish! I also know that If Lt. Cols would drop some of their salary it could help the budget. Is it true some make$138,000? Wow! What do they drive??? I am sorry I can not vote in the next election for Jefferson County but I assure you I have friends who can and they will NOT be voting for Jerry.

Jefferson County could Loose a lot of good officers to other counties. Good Luck!!!!!

I am one that will give up my car because I can not afford to pay anymore. There is one thing that worries me more then the car issue and that is the hiring freeze to a department that is already short to were it is unsafe, and to the point that you can not get a V-day when wanted. This issue to me is tearing the officers apart rather then uniting us, and that scares me. I agree that we need to do what is absolute necessary and to make lock ups only when needed, but I think it will go beyond that. I think that people will take it to extrema that will put the public and more so us at risk of giting hurt. If you took this job thinking that you were going to be liked by the public you were sadly mistaken, but there are some out there that do support us. What scares me more then that is that officers will not back up other officers just because they take there car home and that is unacceptable. I will continue to do the job I signed up to to just like all of you did. And I promise that I will do everything in may power to make sure that we all go home to our families no matter how you get there, in a police car or your POV.

I have read on here comments bashing our FOP president Mcguire for not bringing up the issues on tv last night. If you watched many of the stories about this, you could see Mcguire in the back ground talking but his voice was not being heard (due to being muted), instead the tv reporter was talking. However, Lt. col. Riggs had plenty of time to tell the BS about everyone calling will still get the police, but forgetting to mention that this is the only time you will see the police.

We should all know by now that the media only puts what they want on there. They will never bash the Mayor or make him look bad. Yes, I agree that Mcguire is not the best speaker and we don't have to worry about him being the PIO anytime soon. However apparently he made the effort because it seemed like he was on almost all channels. For a while now Mcguire has been fighting these battles against the Mayor with very few showing up to back him. There were only about 30 officers that showed up at court regarding the insurance issue. I hope that this time will be different and the house will be packed tonight. We have been getting the shaft from this Mayor/administration long enough. There will always be those that are going to make excuses, pay to keep a car and never make a sacrifice for anything or anyone. It is called not being a team player. But, if we as a majority do not unite on this issue and stand strong, we will be setting the tone for what we are going to have to continue to endure for the remainder of our careers. See you at the meeting.

Being part of our top administration is almost like being in a gang. When things get tough the leader picks one of his people to go do his dirty work. Almost like an initiation. Lt. Col. Emington was told to sell it to the citizens/media that we did not need a helicopter, even though he himself did not believe what he was saying. Shortly after he retired. So now it is Lt. Col. Riggs trying to sell it to the public that they will still have the same police protection after doing away w/the take home cars, he was probably a little better at selling the lies that he does not believe.

This just goes to show, overpay your top people and they will try and sell anything for you, including their soul........

Don't just park it...put it on EBAY. It will take years for them to find them all. After you park them along Ring Road at the fairgrounds, the only place possibly big enough to hold them all, it will be first come first serve. With all of the new "pool cars" available, surely the FOP could get a couple sold and pocket the money for a "Rainy Day Fund". And, you all have legal defense. C'mon...Make some cash in the process. District Court will amend the charge to a misdemeanor anyway, and no one will even go to the penetentiary. That warrant will be less served than the Dog and Cat License Violation warrants that come out. Is anyone going to arrest a "former" fellow officer for this fun filled money venture? ("Former" in that the Chief will rise from below the podium to enact swift justice.) And, for one of you, the accolades and admiraration of the remaining troops will last a lifetime. So Rookies, if your name was little known before, here's your chance to claim your legacy.

P.S. Sorry for whoever gets stuck trying to validate the run in ILEADS, but...the rest will laugh for years.

What can we, the citizens of Louisville, do to express our outrage over this proposal?

If I am not mistaken, as early as last Friday, our dear mayor was on TV making a statement regarding "cutbacks sacrifices" and stated that our Police and Fire Departments would not be affected. What do you call this proposal??

How dare you take and take from the very people who lay their lives on the line every day. SHAME ON YOU, MAYOR ABRAMSON.

TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE!! HERE'S A NOVEL IDEA !!! HOW ABOUT THE ARENA??

Shame on the Mayor of this city. I support our officers. GIVE THEM HELL, ladies and gentleman. Thank you for all that you do.

The mayor is a ******** bag. Did you hear they just spent $30,000 for new "artistic" bike racks for downtown? Everytime they want to take, the majority says "Yes'm can I have some more of that crap your feedin' me" That's why we are in the spot we are in now. We just keep letting them take. Well I'm tired of giving up on everything from how much I pay for health insurance to not having a decent raise since we merged. It's about time we come together and finally say no to something. Nobody is taking another $150 a month from me. I use that money to feed my kids.

SAY NO TO GOVERNMENT BAILOUTS - Especially when it is Metro Government asking the hard-working men and women of LMPD to bail the government out.

To the comunnity that reads this: I hope and prey that we never have another situation as we did last year at Fern Creek High School. If many of you can remember there was suppost to be someone with a gun in the school. I as well as probably close to 100 "off duty" officers in plain clothes and take home cars on the scene to assist in the securing and clearing the school. Ladies and gentlemen in todays world we are not safe at school, the mall, or anywhere else for that matter. I hope your family the vctm of a 2 hour ETA for the swat team, or 35-40 ETA for the on duty cars from other divisions to arrive to assist. Keep in mind on a good day at any given time you may only have 75 officers in the entire county on duty. If your son, daughter, husband, or wife is in a school, mall, place of buisness or anywhere else with more than 4 doors it may be along time for officers to arrive. I will apologize in advance if I am in my personal car in front of that place and didn't know it was going on. Right now I would be driving my police car and monitoring the radio. Things to think about

LMPD Officers are tax payers too. I pay more in taxes than most people I make runs on make in a year! (their choice) The Mayor says we need to do our part. WE HAVE, time and time and time again.... Why do the 6000 Metro employees have to make up the 20 million dollar shortfall and the other 694,000 residents of Louisville get a free pass?

Here is a great article on facts for police car take home fleet in New Jersy. It references Lexington KY, send this to everyone you know!. I have to tpye DOT so this website will not delete this as spam.

GO to gtpd(dot)org/lexington(dot)html

Lt. Col. Philip Turner said, despite the program's cost, the take-home car policy benefits the community.

"I don't think any police department has enough officers. That's the multiplier effect," he said of the take-home cars. "We get that service of the officers when they're off-duty as they go about these different incidents."

Thanks for stating the truth Lt. Col. Turner!!!!!!

I just want to take a moment to address the few people that are actually thinking of paying the $227.50 a month to keep your car and work off duty. (Yes $227.00 not $210.00. Think about it, there are 26 pays in a year $105.00 per pay X 26 pays = $2730.00 per year divided by 12 months comes out to $227.50.) That is 9 hours of off duty time 11 if you work for.....less, just to get back to even. Now not only did you give up your $227.50 you now had to work an extra day. I don't know about you but I would rather spend that time with my children than paying for the financial mistakes of the Mayor. For all you courtesy officers don't forget to add that $227.50 onto your monthly rent then add up the hours you spend passing out late notices or calling wreckers to have cars towed, or patrolling the parking lots, plus that extra day you have to work just to break even and see how much of a deal that discounted rent is now! For you officers that don't have a car, swallow that pride, and go get you a KIA for $100.00 a month. 100,000 mile warranty, 5 star crash rating, good gas mileage. Now pay your insurance $75.00 a month. That still leaves you $52.00 a month for gas, one extra day off and you get to keep the car you are paying for. Sounds a whole lot better than option A,B,or C. Not to mention you can't put a price on the feeling of anonymity, really being off when your off! What is that like? So I ask you, does it really make sense to buy the city a car?

By the way great story on 32 tonight...Who would have thought it? Thanks WLKY...

Boone 444

Emergency services and response capabilities should not be compromised. That's exactly what the mayor's proposal would do. This budget shortfall did not occur overnight. There is far too much local government waste that can be scaled back before critical services should be compromised. Scale back the Cordish project, put the arena on hold, stop buying granite curbs-wrought iron trash can holders-decorative bike racks and cancel Light Up Louisville and other non-vital projects. The people who have the most to lose in this unfortunately are the citizens--the ones who need our help the most. Hopefully they can understand that and will voice their opinions to their local metrol council person. Regardless of how it plays out we have to stand united amongst the ranks when the vehicles are parked.

"When gas was $4.16/gallon, The mayor very publicly stated that for each penny that gas prices rose, it costs the city $35K per month. Seeing how gas is now $1.61/gallon, my math tells me that the city is currently saving $8.925M per month with the decline in costs. It seems to me that the $20M shortage could be made up in 2 1/2 months if gas prices remain where they are now. That is, of course, if the mayor wasn't lying when he was trying to ram these charges down the PD's throat back then".

I think its time to get a new mayor. After all the one we have has cost us too much already. His first time in office he chased Brown Williamson out of town. This time Philip Morris. He has also forced his city council to impose a smoking ban, causing several small businesses to cut back or close their doors completely. This adds up to well over the $20million shortfall we have now.

Get rid of the problem before it is too late. IMPEACH THE MAYOR.

Why can't the proposal to the police simply be cutting 3 paid vacation days? This is what everyone else's deal is so why can't it be the same? Why are cops being asked to put money in too? That's ridiculous. Is he asking these people that just got 3 furlough days to also pay him a monthly fee? For some kind of equipment they use for work-related purposes? Is he charging them for their desks, computers, office machinery?

And FYI MEDIA: please stop playing the footage of the Mayor saying that public safety makes up 60% of the budget. This is an attack on LMPD and the officers and it is now LMPD's fight and LMPD only makes up 15% of the budget... Read that slowly... 15%. Yet he's asking some of the most underpaid professionals to pump 1.2 million into the problem HE caused. UGH. This whole thing irritates and infuriates me.

This is like stealing your kids? lunch money in order to pay for your own frivolous spending. Just weeks ago the Mayor pushed through the $36 million Center City project. Did he not have the foresight to project the shortfall at that time? If there is such a shortfall, why is the city throwing a big party Friday night? Somebody needs to send the Mayor a copy of Dave Ramsey?s book.

unless of course, they are fellow cops or friends or relatives RIGHT???? loser!

I think you guys should be able to take home your cars. As long as you don't do 75 mph down the Watterson with your wife and kids in tow. If this occurs I'll be the one in the red Acura following you

MEDIA - We know you are reading this. Please be willing to ask the hard questions. Do not allow a little "leg tingle" to cause you to be manipulated by this mayor. You would ask the tough questions of the Big 3 Automakers. You would grill the CEOs of Citigroup. Don't be lazy. Don't just go for the quick turnaround story. Investigate. Question why we are just now realizing a $20 million shortfall. We saw the way the economy was going, why couldn't he? Is he that inept?

Sure he can, Metro has the final say on the Sheriff's budget. (Goofy, but they do, it's the law.) He also owns the building where their offices are located.

Thanks Larry for mentioning the liquidated helicopter to make up for last FY's budget. The remaining helicopter will be offloaded as soon as it returns to Louisville. That subject matter was covered by the Mayor's spokesperson last week on the WAVE story that aired. The citizens and officers can call it a retalitary strike for not accepting the take home car tax! The mayor will not be undercut. He has all bases covered--YOU WILL PAY!!!

This year alone while off duty I stopped a DUI that was .39 on I 64 He was so intoxicated I had to take him to the Hospital I was down there for 4 hours before they would release him to go to the jail total unpaid time was 5 hrs. I was not paid because I was off duty I also missed out on court pay because I was on my way to court when I made the stop..... On 8 other occasions this year on my way home I have stopped suspicious subjects that I have found cruising around my neighborhood after 1 am. After talking to those subjects I discovered none even lived in the area and none could give me a valid name of anyone in my neighborhood. I keep neighborhood directory's in my take home car just so I can check. After following up I discovered most had previous TBUT charges (IE car break ins). No Items were taken from my neighborhood those nights.

I also have stopped for countless accidents and stranded motorists this year.

i think larry priddy did a fantastic job this morning on the francene show. he handled questions professionally and presented our side of the story without making us sound like cry babies. we need someone like him to talk to the media constantly and always keep them in the loop everytime we give up something in contract negotiations that way we dont look like we are mad over just this event.

A spokesperson could have created a media news release of how all the police decided several months ago to PAY for a car that they have had for decades and how it was to help the local government fight the prices of higher gas costs. the police would have looked good for once in the media.

I stand behind our police force completely. As far as taking their cruisers home, I've got news for the people that claim policemen live in areas where crime isn't a factor. Crime is everywhere. It does not discriminate. And just the idea of taking away pay or vacation days from these brave individuals is so unbelievable. In my opinion, we can't pay them enough. They put their lives on the line everyday for our safety. They are all heroes and I thank them with all my heart.

Renee

grateful Louisville resident

I'm tired of being threatened over these cars like they have done for years. I just heard a news brief and the chief said he was disapointed in the decision of the FOP to not accept any of the options they gave use over cars and would rather end the take home program altogether than lay off any officers. Well bring it on your high almighty, do what you think you have to do, but don't threaten us like were gonna run like a bunch of scared rabbits. If he has the gonads I wish he would get busy laying people off in a department that is already way understaffed. Give me a break Chief White and Mayor Abramson, save the empty threats for people that they actually work on.

On the front page of Saturday's Courier-Journal, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson stated: "City to furlough workers 3 days". Police, Fire, Emergency Medical services would NOT be affected. Everyone knows we are in a financial crisis. However, what we are not told is that the Louisville Metro Police are being asked to either pool their

Patrol cars that they take home, loose their pay raise, or pay $150/month to take home the cars.

Our brave men in uniform, who put their lives on the line for us every day, are under-paid, often disrespected, and

Work long hours. Statistically, their income is one of the lowest in the country for a city of this size. What the Mayor doesn't realize is that by taking home their patrol cars there are three times as many Police cars on the road, compared to a single Police shift, where only one third as many cars are on the road. This is certainly a "deterrent to crime". When a Police car is present, people do not know if the officer is on

Duty or not. Decreasing the number or police cars on the road could lead to more crime. I personally feel safer seeing more police cars present, and believe many other Louisville residents would agree. The City also has a hiring freeze on any new police training and enrollment.

I implore the Mayor and the City of

Louisville to allow our Police to continue to take their patrol cars home for this reason, WITHOUT penalizing them financially. Certainly, the Mayor can suspend or cancel some of the ?non-essential? projects the City is planning or paying for. The welfare, safety and security of our citizens must ALWAYS be TOP PRIORITY!

Kenneth Kral, M.D.

I have mailed this DAILY to the Courior-Socialist-Journal. "letter to the editor", with no success. Obviously, they are on the side of our wonderful "Mayor For Life".I just wish SOMEONE in the press would stand up you and honestly explain to the citizens of Louisville how important it is to have the maximun Police cars on the road to prevent crime, not to mention the effect on Police morale!

Ok, heres what I propose:

If you choose to use your car for off duty/unlimited personal use, then pay the $75 / $105 a pay...however, if (like me) you decide to park it, then you should be allowed to do so without it being turned into a pool car, therefore saving the city money on buying new lockers to fit all of our equipment in, and saving the city money on gas (even though its now less than $1.70 a gallon). That way all the millions spent on MDT's, Imobile, Ecrash, Ileads, arbitrator cameras, etc won't be going to waste. There should be an option, to continue to pay the $30.00 (don't yell at me, I'm trying to be reasonable) in order to drive it to and from work, court and training. If you are in a unit that involves being on call, but you have chosen to park your vehicle, then you should be allowed to take it home at no extra cost for the duration of the time that you are on call (ie: a week, ten days etc). I haven't done the math yet, but this should save the city plenty...and thats what jerry wants everyone to believe, thats he's just trying to save the city money. This way we are not being backed into a corner and being forced to pay out (which, by the way, is not saving, its gaining at our expense..) at the threat of having miserable working conditions (being force to scrounge around for a pool car, lugging bags of equipment back and forth from our personal cars twice a shift).

Just a suggestion....

If the City is broke, then why does the mayor for life continue programs such at the granite curbs and light up Louisville? It makes no sense to put the public safety at risk just to have nice curbing and pretty little lights. But of course when you have a mayor and a police chief who say they love this city, but clearly hate the citizens of that city, you shouldn't be surprised. I for one support our Police, Fire and EMS services and believe the mayor should pull his head out of his rear and stop the silliness. Never cut funding to your first responders or the first responders won't be there when you need them most.

Tim G

I believe there is a court ruling that workers who are required to wear a uniform to work can not be made to dress on their own time. This means if your shift starts at 7 am you can not be made to show up at 7am in uniform unless you were paid for your dress time. Lets be fair and give the city several options

1) Pay us 30 min every work day ( including details) so we show up dressed.

2) Allow us time after roll call to dress while runs are holding. Must provide male and female locker rooms. Including at all events.

3) Allow us to take our police cars home and use like in the past and we will only charge OT for motorist assists, and whatever else we assist on. The reduction in crime that goes along with our vehicle usage will be free. As will the lack of afore mentioned problems that parking cars at the station will cause.

The above mentioned ideas are better than what follows.I over heard from someone I think was a civilian. that if you make $25.hr that is $200. a day. If you took a extra sick day a month this would be $2400. a yr which is what we are being charged to use our cars. If you are asked to get a sick note from the Dr. you can take a least 3 days for whatever is ailing you because you have a Dr.s note which can not be disputed. If you take 5 days and come back on the 6th they have to do FEMA paper work. I think they will take the hit on the day. I thought about this and although it would work perfectly I advise against it because it is not nice.

One more point if I may. $75.a pay period is a percentage of a patrolmans salary. It is less of a percentage for a Sgt because they make more. It is even less for a LT. less for Maj., less for Asst Chief, less still for Chief. Why not figure out what percentage $75. is for a patrolman and take that percentage from everyone? This way a patrolman will pay $75., Sgt $90, Lt $110 and so on up to the mayor and chief who may pay $200. This way we all have equal skin in the game. Also it may not be such a good idea all of a sudden when the others are faced with the same % we are.

These points may be worth looking into they are just one man's opinion. Except for the sick time which although it is brilliant, is not nice. All times and $ amounts are estimates and used to make a point.

I do not wish to make this anonymous. John Blumenschein" I approve this message".

there is a us supreme court ruling that says your employer is required to pay you for donning equipment that is required in your work, such as things required by a standard operating procedure.

On the job, but not on the clock: According to federal wage and hour laws ? which have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court ? your employer is required to pay you for any time needed to put on special protective gear before you start your shift.

Its called ?doffing and donning?.

bmw workers and toyota workers both won lawsuits in these cases.

Question : Can the divisions accomodate all the females AND males that will have to be given a location to change and the time to change in the divisions? hmmmmm? $$$$$$$$!!!!

I wonder if we will be able to go back several years like the Fire Dept did in their law suit. Be paid for all the days we got dressed at home over the years. Anyone from the FOP when will you have your lawyers file suit? I read the case law and it is crystal clear. Blume

When gas was $4.16/gallon, The mayor very publicly stated that for each penny that gas prices rose, it costs the city $35K per month. Seeing how gas is now $1.61/gallon, my math tells me that the city is currently saving $8.925M per month with the decline in costs. It seems to me that the $20M shortage could be made up in 2 1/2 months if gas prices remain where they are now.

Folks, do a Google search on Police Doffing and Donning Lawsuit... the results will surprise you and should scare the hell out of the Mayor. The case law is from the U. S Supreme Court 2005 IBP, Inc. versus Alvarez. You should read it.

it's cold and flu season.

This budget shortfall just didn't occur overnight. The mayor is choosing to put projects before people. ALL the unions need to take a stand.

PEOPLE BEFORE PROJECTS!!!

As someone mentioned previously, I would also be agreeable to parking the car at home while continuing to pay the thirty dollars a month. Hear me out... I would be willing to pay the thirty dollars if we could drive the car back and forth to work, court, Logan Street, inservices and details. Otherwise the car stays in the driveway. This would keep a visible police presence in the neighborhoods and would do away with the problem (I don't really care about this one myself, but it is an advantage for the city as well) of where to park all these cars as well as where to store all of our personal gear. Gas savings for the city would be great as well. The Mayor and Chief say they are looking for cost cutting measures... well here is one. Don't look to the police to be a money making venture for you.

YOU ARE AWESOME!! HERE HERE MY GOOD MAN!! COULD NOT AGREE MORE!! Crime prevention, fire safety and emergency assistance.....just a bit more important than a basketball arena. Please.

you have wisdom.

It is wrong for anyone to alter contracts after they are dated and signed. Let the Mayor give up some office personnel, starting with the deputy mayors. One should be sufficient in Louisville if N.Y. City can have one. We just need to be selective about who is holding that position, and we need a new Mayor.!!

As a teacher , I thank you for your comment on better pay for teachers,and better education for our children I have long supported first responders as they are a critical neccesity in our community.I would especially like to say THANK YOU again because I understand to some degree what you are going through. After working for years without a raise we finally recieved a 3 percent raise which we quickly lost because it took two percent for operational costs, and of course we were taxed on the remaining one percent. I am quite confident that the mayor will also come after the teachers association for help with this so called shortfall as well. I do not want to sound ungratefull as I do have a job when so many do not but, how can the mayor justify these cuts and still continue to push for projects to encourage out of state companies to come to Louisville. Also why is the Fire Departments money not being distributed to them, The courts have spoken, they deserve to be paid. Anyway I am sorry about my raving I just want to say thank you LMPD you do a great job,and I appreciate your service, and dedication. Please remember your valued, needed, and respected.With much love , another public servant. Keep safe, and God bless.