Deep layoffs take effect in struggling NJ city

Very sad all the way around. People loosing jobs,others losing their lives and homes (on both sides) My buddy lives in a city with big budget cuts and his fire station shuts down 2 times a month leaving the next fire dept miles away. I hope things turn around soon for everyone.

By GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated Press Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press – 1 hr 57 mins ago
CAMDEN, N.J. – Some police officers are turning in their badges as part of deep municipal layoffs that began Tuesday and that could be a blow to the quality of life in this city, one of the nation's most impoverished and crime-ridden.
As many as 383 workers, representing one-fourth of the local government's work force, are expected to lose their jobs, including about half the police force and one-third of the city's firefighters.
Firefighters are planning to march to City Hall on Tuesday, and Mayor Dana Redd is planning a noon news conference to talk about the layoffs in a city facing a huge budget deficit and declining state aid.
The officers began turning in their badges Monday as it became clear that no last-minute deal was going to save many jobs.
Located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Camden is rampant with open drug-dealing, prostitution and related crimes. More than half of Camden's 80,000 residents, mostly black and Hispanic, live in poverty.
A local pastor says "the fear quotient has been raised," and a police union took out a full-page newspaper advertisement last week warning that Camden would become a "living hell" if layoffs were not averted.
The city was the nation's second-most dangerous based on 2009 data, according to CQ Press, which compiles such rankings. Camden ranked first the previous two years. In 2009, the city had 2,380 violent crimes per 100,000 residents — more than five times the national average, the FBI said.
The anti-crime volunteer group Guardian Angels also says it will patrol Camden, as it has Newark, where there were major police layoffs in November.
The fire department, meanwhile, has already been relying on help from volunteer departments in neighboring towns. Interim fire chief David Yates, who retired Jan. 1, has warned that that layoffs will increase response times.

 

It's a shame but it's happening in every city...the worst is yet to come.

 

camden is crap anyway

 

The city was the nation's second-most dangerous based on 2009 data,

I would think so,but they still need policing and fire services.

 

I really hope not.