Town Square

Police and administration cuts

Original post made by Common sense, Atherton: West Atherton, on May 3, 2009

A few weeks ago, I posted an article suggesting that, given the huge budget deficit in Atherton, yet the appearance of agenda items on town council meetings for raises for the town manager and police, residents make clear that NO raises should be given in this environment.

For some reason, that article was deleted by Almanac staff. Perhaps it's because some posts crept it that were critical of the Atherton PD.

Now there is another thread on the Town Square forum that indicates in neighboring Menlo Park, CUTS are being requested in police salaries (I just advised no increases).

Let's discuss the impact this should have on Atherton. Again, it would be fiscally irresponsible for the town manager to get a raise in this environment, and also for police to get a raise. Otherwise the number of officers continues to get cut, while the ones remaining make more and more, and public safety suffers.

Comments (2)

Posted by private eye
a resident of Atherton: other
on May 3, 2009 at 8:10 pm

I am surprised that this post has stayed up for as long as it has.

I have seen other posts mildly critical of the Atherton PD that have lasted for less than an hour.

According to the memorandum of understanding between the Town of Atherton and the Atherton Police Officers Association, Atherton Police Officers are paid at the 70th percentile of a group of other municipalities surveyed.

So if Menlo Park and other municipalities have their salaries cut, so will the Atherton PD's.

If this occurs and if it is a trend that continues, perhaps in due time one might think the residents of Atherton will get their money's worth.

However for that to occur, the Atherton PD would have to both obey and enforce the law.

Until that happens, I'll be lobbying for some other jurisdiction to take over.

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Posted by Common sense
a resident of Atherton: West Atherton
on May 3, 2009 at 9:55 pm

I wasn't aware that Atherton officers get salaries at the 70th percentile of surrounding communities. Does that mean that the recent enormous raise that Menlo Park sergeants got will result in an even greater raise for Atherton sergeants? Menlo Park residents are up in arms about that salary point, and if the salary point for Atherton automatically becomes greater this is an issue of some concern for the community, particularly when there are large deficits.

By the way, is anyone aware of the justification for the 70th percentile figure. It seems high.

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