Memphis Police & Fire : Borderline Strike Conditions over Benefits (1 Viewer)

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Short Story: City council faced a budget shortfall and cut pension and health/retirement benefits for the Memphis Police & Fire squads. These guys already had absorbed pay cuts and other issues... how they were losing retirement benefits, health benefits, etc. Case in point, under the new plan, an officer injured on the job severely enough to be unable to continue working would be "medically discharged" and lose all medical benefits.

Lots of my Law Enforcement buddies contacted me Sat and Sun to inform me to limit travel through bad parts of town and to keep eyes open as an impending "Blue Flu and Red Rash" were about to hit through this coming week. As of today nearly 500 officers have called in "sick" and more are on the way. Nearly 100% of the Downtown / Beale Street squads were "sick" over the holiday weekend leading to County Deputies and desk jockeys being called in to assist.

Could get interesting in Memphis. Already one of the nations most dangerous cities... as word spreads that police presence on the streets is decreased significantly we could see a repeat of the 1978 strike where the guard was called in and dusk till dawn curfews were put into place.

My girl works in a fairly shady part of town and works later than she should usually. This week she'll be concealed carrying (pistol) and she's not going to be working late. I always carry so that's not as much of a concern. Should be interesting.

 

[Brady Marino]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

 

[Quez]

Great time to get a new Xbox!

 

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This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

 

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Great time to get a new Xbox!

 

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I will say this... I'm glad during scenarios like this that we don't live in some hippie anti-gun state.

 

[Brady Marino]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

I know I'm fine for now, but when there's less officers on the streets making sure my area is fine and when there's already shenanigans happening just a few blocks west on Madison involving shootings and less-than-desirables, I'm a little unsure.

The council has backed themselves into a corner and I get a feeling whatever solution they have to solve the police crisis will require us to eat a turd sandwich. And then you have more flight and what's left over? Yup, exactly.

I love it here, but the long term forecast for Memphis seems awfully bleak to me.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

That is scary.

 

[NutterButter]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

Sounds like an awesome place to live

 

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Sounds like an awesome place to live

I may be over-prepared but I'd rather live that way than be helpless if something does happen.

Where I live (edge of germantown and east memphis) it's likely anything will happen. Hell I've left my garage door open for a weekend before with golf clubs, $1500 mountain bike, etc in plain view and nobody's touched a thing... Great neighbors and no random crap. Better safe than sorry though... particularly with current "blue flu"

 

[urbanhack]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

 

[Brady Marino]

Sounds like an awesome place to live

I may be over-prepared but I'd rather live that way than be helpless if something does happen.

Where I live (edge of germantown and east memphis) it's likely anything will happen. Hell I've left my garage door open for a weekend before with golf clubs, $1500 mountain bike, etc in plain view and nobody's touched a thing... Great neighbors and no random crap. Better safe than sorry though... particularly with current "blue flu"

Edge of Germantown and East Memphis is nice, though. I work at Poplar and 240 and I feel pretty safe here (except when a panhandler punched my window when I wouldn't give him money at a gas station).

 

[NutterButter]

Sounds like an awesome place to live

I may be over-prepared but I'd rather live that way than be helpless if something does happen.

Where I live (edge of germantown and east memphis) it's likely anything will happen. Hell I've left my garage door open for a weekend before with golf clubs, $1500 mountain bike, etc in plain view and nobody's touched a thing... Great neighbors and no random crap. Better safe than sorry though... particularly with current "blue flu"

Ok then. Memphis may be nice after all. It might just be you.

 

[Emerson Biggens]

It's going to get scary real soon. One of my best friends is all up in the middle of it. They're getting screwed by this corrupt ### city council

 

[jonessed]

The unions are in a lose-lose situation that isn't going to change with a sick-out. They will simply eat more public animosity for whatever damage is done.

 

[Fennis]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

I don't want to hear anymore talk about strike, we’re not plumbers, we’re police officers, and police officers don’t strike!

 

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[Doctor Detroit]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

That is scary paranoid.

 

[NCCommish]

Well maybe Memphis should give another 42 million in subsidies to companies like Nike and International Paper. Especially when two of their own recent investigations revealed that 63% of the companies given these breaks weren't meeting hiring goals, pay goals and investment goals. But they keep getting the money. And in fact this corporate welfare is now more than the pension obligation the city has. By about 10 million. I don't think those numbers cover the "investments" made in stadiums which report after report show are just wastes of taxpayer money. And of course they have been shortfunding pensions for years now. Did I mention the 230 million the city is on the hook for to Electrolux to build a factory? With no clawback guarantees. If it goes up in smoke oh well sucks to be a Memphis taxpayer.

So you combine the recession, underfunded pensions, massive corporate welfare and viola! you have economic issues. Who'd of thunk it?.

Looking at a report that says that for every job UPS created in Memphis they received slightly over 400,000.00. Sounds like a fantastic investment.

 

[Thunderlips]

Sounds like you don't want to be a black guy in Memphis for the next few weeks. Gunfighters with itchy trigger fingers on every corner.

 

[Sand]

Case in point, under the new plan, an officer injured on the job severely enough to be unable to continue working would be "medically discharged" and lose all medical benefits.

Not a huge proponent of public unions, but the city council really decided on this step? I'd strike over just this part. No way with a family I'm stepping into one of those hoods and face a lifetime of hardship if someone shoots me.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Case in point, under the new plan, an officer injured on the job severely enough to be unable to continue working would be "medically discharged" and lose all medical benefits.

Not a huge proponent of public unions, but the city council really decided on this step? I'd strike over just this part. No way with a family I'm stepping into one of those hoods and face a lifetime of hardship if someone shoots me.

Doesn't seem even remotely possible they'd do that. I read a few articles on this, I would think that would have been prominently mentioned but saw nothing. Fine print? No reason to be a cop at all under those conditions, better off doing private security or something.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Short Story: City council faced a budget shortfall and cut pension and health/retirement benefits for the Memphis Police & Fire squads. These guys already had absorbed pay cuts and other issues... how they were losing retirement benefits, health benefits, etc. Case in point, under the new plan, an officer injured on the job severely enough to be unable to continue working would be "medically discharged" and lose all medical benefits.

Lots of my Law Enforcement buddies contacted me Sat and Sun to inform me to limit travel through bad parts of town and to keep eyes open as an impending "Blue Flu and Red Rash" were about to hit through this coming week. As of today nearly 500 officers have called in "sick" and more are on the way. Nearly 100% of the Downtown / Beale Street squads were "sick" over the holiday weekend leading to County Deputies and desk jockeys being called in to assist.

Could get interesting in Memphis. Already one of the nations most dangerous cities... as word spreads that police presence on the streets is decreased significantly we could see a repeat of the 1978 strike where the guard was called in and dusk till dawn curfews were put into place.

My girl works in a fairly shady part of town and works later than she should usually. This week she'll be concealed carrying (pistol) and she's not going to be working late. I always carry so that's not as much of a concern. Should be interesting.

Are you aware of what's been going on in NO?

Aside from a decades fight over gypping the Fire Dept. out of pensions - which the city has been repeatedly crushed on in court and the tab with interest is now way due - the city pursuant to federal mandate has cut back on details. Some claim that the PD has been holding back as wait times for 911 calls has gotten ridiculous and cops may or may not arrive in a timely fashion, may or may not help when they do show up. Elsewhere people an businesses who are on good terms with the cops have no trouble getting quick help in a pinch.

 

[matuski]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

Overreact much?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Short Story: City council faced a budget shortfall and cut pension and health/retirement benefits for the Memphis Police & Fire squads. These guys already had absorbed pay cuts and other issues... how they were losing retirement benefits, health benefits, etc. Case in point, under the new plan, an officer injured on the job severely enough to be unable to continue working would be "medically discharged" and lose all medical benefits.

...

Does Memphis have an Inspector General?

It would help with the corruption and also provide recommendations on financial practices.

 

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As of 5:30 this morning we're at 548 MPD officers "out sick"

MPD has now issued a memorandum canceling all leave requests

 

[Quez]

Has the media been reporting excessive crime? This seems like something the media could really manifest.

 

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Has the media been reporting excessive crime? This seems like something the media could really manifest.

Nothing yet

"(CNN) -- Police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, are sick -- sick of having their healthcare benefits cut.

Nearly a quarter of the city's 2,200-member police force called in sick on Monday. That's 522 officers, according to Police Director Toney Armstrong.

"We're in a crisis mode," he said. "We're going to do absolutely everything we have to do to make sure that public safety isn't compromised."

Last month, the city council voted to eliminate the city's 70% subsidy of health insurance premiums for members of the force. Premiums were also increased, apparently prompting an onset of the "Blue Flu" since June 30."

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

This is really a cluster#### of a problem that reminds me way, way too much of Detroit. There's been issues with flight out to the suburbs (or even out of the county altogether) because, in part, of how dangerous the city is. And now you have a shade over 500 officers calling in with the "blue flu" the last three days combined in a city with one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

It's #### like this that makes me lose sympathy for government unions. It sucks that your health insurance bennies are getting jacked up and that shouldn't happen. But don't hold the entire city hostage over it.

Regardless, the city council needs to make some very tough and painful calls just to stay afloat because their predecessors have kicked the can for so long.

I love living in Midtown near Overton Square, but this combined with the fact that it'd be closer to where I work is making Germantown that much more attractive. Yes, it's less fun, but I value my life far more than fun.

You should be fine where you're at. I would consider a shotgun for the apartment though.. or some sort of "kick-in" resistance for your door.

I keep my Glock on the nightstand, and we have a Shotgun loaded and ready in the bedroom (that the girlfriend is comfortable with) as well in the event someone looks to force entry at night.

Overreact much?

BEWARE OF CRACKER