Ask not what your city can do for you, ask what you can do for your city: Join a Neighborhood Watch Program ?

The current economic crisis is hitting home. We’ve all heard of store closings, lay-offs, and other occupational worries. Everyone hears the activity going on all over the world now. In the 1920s and 30s, fire and police personnel were laid off across the country, in the masses.

There is no question that we are going to feel the effects of the global economic crisis in Houston – but just how much is the question.

Mayor Bloomberg of New York City recently announced that the city will be looking at reducing its expenses for the 2010 fiscal year by an estimated $1 billion dollars.

A NYC Police Officer stands guard at the closed World Exchange Bank building in March 1931.

Obviously, this means that there will be cut backs in various areas throughout local government in NYC. I feel that you may agree that some of these areas are critical and very necessary for the residents of the city. The mayor’s budget plan will possibly cut 1,000 police officers off the police force.

That’s right.

Lay-offs for police officers.

Although NYC has a police force that is about 34,000 officers strong – it still seems mind boggling to me that he would cut his police force down – not to mention, he is also looking at cutting back on fire department personnel as well.

The mayor also hinted that he is committed to “stay the course” with other vital infrastructure projects. These projects include things like the completion of a long time planned water tunnel and new police academy!

Ready for some irony?

It seems that more officers on the street will prevent crime, but the city wants to cut them off the police force, and build a new academy instead. I do not agree with this – but then again, times are swiftly becoming unbearable.

“Am I happy with the budget? No,” Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly told reporters. “But this is the hand we have been dealt.”

Is it hitting home?

Maybe – we are not sure yet. The Houston City Council and Mayor have fiscal year budget hearings coming up in a few months …. so we shall see what the outcome is.

One thing that I do know is that we are trying to get more police officers on the streets of Houston. The city council approved about 7 academy classes in the past couple years or so. This was a huge increase of academy classes, because there were several years where we had no classes going on …. meaning no new recruits, thus no new officers.

So, this current fiscal year allowed for 7 police academy classes to be conducted – and I have heard that there may only be 3 scheduled for the next fiscal year. We shall see – after the city budget hearings in a few months.

Where is the progress here? It is hard to justify progress when we are going through hard economic times such as this, but we can not let this get in the way of public safety efforts. Everyone desires to live in a safe, protected neighborhood and city. If there will be fewer police officers on the street, due to this crisis – you should step up to the plate and organize your neighbors.

Many neighborhoods will be impacted by an even shorter public safety force. Some affluet neighborhoods can afford private/ extra security – via local law enforcement agencies – it is the underserved, minority communities that will suffer the most from this issue.

Civic responsibility is very important. Getting involved in your local home owner’s or civic association is critical in times like this. I would suggest that if things get unbearable – to start a neighborhood watch program. Help the police department and your neighbors out – I will.

Perhaps the money crunch is finally stalwartly hitting home – at least in the public safety arena.

http://www.houstontx.gov/police/burg_and_theft/burgprevention.htm – HPD neighborhood watch program