MetroSafe system gets $2.2 million for upgrades

So, because it's a big event that draws in money from out of town, the event should get taxpayer funded security in the form of an official ON DUTY police presence?

Why can't Churchill pay for off-duty officers the same way that businesses all over the county pay for it? The banks across the street from Churchill pay for it (I used to work one of them), gas stations pay for it, Waffle House pays for it, Walgreens pays for it, River City recycling pays for it, various apartment complexes pay for it, etc. Go to Aubrey/Boyer's website, or Spurgeon's company, and see just how many private businesses pay for off duty officers to provide traffic, uniform officers, etc.

I'm fairly certain that Churchill will make enough money on these events (Breeder's, the concerts) to pay officers around $30 to do the work they want done. But no.....that would cut into their bottom line, and eat into profits. Can't have THAT, so we'll just work a deal with the city to provide FREE on duty units. Even IF Churchill Downs is paying for the on duty units, WHY is that allowed? They are a private entity, and the police shouldn't be working ON DUTY to provide security for a private function - the fact that it brings in money is irrelevant. It's a private event, being held at a private venue, and public officials should NOT be providing on duty security for them.

Now, if Churchill Downs WANTS uniformed officers out there, well...it's a free market economy. Offer the jobs at a certain price. Like I said, a start of $30/hour would get a lot of folks out of bed to do it. I'd say $40 or more for working the infield area, though; too many idiots to deal with for anything less. Honestly, what would the bill for something like this come out to be for a day? Maybe $200K or a little over? What's the profit margin for the concerts? They'll make twice that from concessions, especially if it's as hot as it's supposed to be. So what if they don't make as much of a profit? That's the beauty of the free market - pay what the job is worth.

But, there's no reason at all for any of these functions (Thunder & Derby included) to involve on duty officers. Then, there's all the other little nasty events - the St. James Art Fair, the Trinity/St. X game, Ironman (already mentioned), and all the BS Derby events. We sure provide a lot of public money to provide security for private events. I wonder if the Barnstables will ever sue, in order to get free security for their party? After all, according to the argument FOR on duty units - their guests spend a LOT of money when they come into Louisville. Why should they have to pay for uniformed officers to drive them around and be on call for them? Can't they get it for free, too?

Stupid argument, isn't it?

But at what cost is this to the rest of the metro area who will be left with a minimum, and i mean minumim of police service during these events. I know the 7th and 8th Divisions will be down to 8 officers per division, which means that the SUBURBAN tax payers will only have 16 officers for a rough total of 180 square miles. Doesn't seem safe now does it?

The irony is that MOST cities have a plan in place for these events. And in fact most get officers who wish to volunteer for many of these events. WHY you ask? Well because the pay OVERTIME for these events and officers volunteer in droves.

I agree these events make tax money for the city, but at what RISK does it place the rest of the county.

These are my thoughts on the matter. In short, MY TWO CENTS

Sir, I think you are missing the point. I understand your point of view and agree it brings in a lot of money for the city. What you dont seem to understand is that they take a lot of officers off the street to work these things which means that YOUR neighborhood will not be as protected as it usually is. That particular day ALL the divisions will be short staffed, which means that that officer who would normally ride through your street will more than likely NOT BE able to due to the lack of policeman working, because thay will be more likely to be tied up making more runs due to the lack of officers working. See what I mean? If the city paid the overtime for the officers to work these events then there would not be a public safety issue. The divisions would be staffed as they normally would be, therefore meaning the officer who rides YOUR neighbrhood would be on duty when and where he is supposed to be. Which would you rather have, the majority of police at Church Hill Downs dealing with that or proper police protection in YOUR neighborhood? The point is this city leadership will not give you both.