By Eric Stirgus
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to look for money in the city budget to end recent cuts in work hours for police officers, firefighters, 911 operators and corrections officers.
The idea comes largely in response to growing concerns in Atlanta neighborhoods that crime is becoming a severe problem. Although Police Department figures show violent crime declined by 9 percent from 2007 and 2008, the recent shooting death of a bartender in southeast Atlanta has sparked complaints from residents about crime and whether the city has enough police officers.
“We’re going down a slippery slope,” Councilman C.T. Martin said of the furloughs. “Somebody is going to get hurt.”
Mayor Shirley Franklin last month ordered four-hour-a-week furloughs --- which resulted in 10 percent pay cuts --- in most city agencies as part of her plan to fill a projected $50 million budget shortfall. The mayor also is taking the pay cut.
The council’s public safety committee last week approved a resolution asking Franklin to restore police officers and firefighters to their prior work schedules. On Thursday, council members added 911 operators and corrections officers.
The mayor asked council members to find the funds. “Show me the money,” Franklin said.
Martin complained Thursday that city officials have been unable to provide accurate financial data, such as figures showing how much the city collects each month. “We’re not getting the information,” he said.
The council’s discussion about furloughs turned into a wide-ranging debate about the city’s police force. Excluding recruits, Atlanta employs about 1,630 police officers.
Franklin wants to hire at least 200 more before her term expires at the end of the year. Some council members, such as Councilman Kwanza Hall, believe Atlanta needs to increase its force by 1,000 officers.
Councilman Ivory Lee Young said the debate misses a larger problem. He argued Atlanta needs to do more about its abundance of vacant lots and abandoned buildings, which Young believes contribute to crime.
“The problem is we do not have a plan to stabilize our communities,” he said.
Copyright 2009 Atlanta Journal-Constitution