By Jessica Van Sack and Thomas Grillo
Associated Press
BOSTON — Boston’s budgetary battle took a dramatic turn yesterday as police Commissioner Edward F. Davis announced 40 cadets will be laid off in July, in addition to 20 other cuts.
Davis said he will disband the Mounted Unit, laying off nine hostlers and one storekeeper as of July 1, and reassigning the division’s 10 officers and sole supervisor to district stations. Ten civilian workers who take calls on minor offenses will also receive pink slips. The Bicycle Unit and Youth Violence Strike Force will be moved from their Dorchester headquarters.
“We’re attempting to discontinue programs that are not directly adding to public safety and keep those officers out on the street,” Davis said.
The department anticipates $3.9 million in a federal Department of Justice Grant, which would spare 54 officers from the ax, Davis said. Also due to BPD is funding from state Byrne Grants and the federal COPS program. “We’re still contemplating police layoffs in spite of that,” Davis said.
Officials are considering closing the Family Justice Center in Allston and moving the domestic violence and sex assault units elsewhere, according to sources at a meeting of department brass yesterday. Also discussed: laying off 10 school traffic supervisors.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino, meanwhile, kept the heat on unions to agree to a wage freeze by March 15. He said it would save $55 million of a $131 million shortfall and lambasted the teachers union for demanding to review the books. “How many more people are going to audit our books? . . . Give me a break. How does a union not understand this would be a loss of jobs?” he said in a speech to business leaders yesterday.
But Menino had kind words for Thomas Nee, head of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association. Although Nee’s union hasn’t agreed to a wage freeze, he has aggressively lobbied Washington for federal funds. “The one union that has been really helpful to us in this whole thing is the (patrolmen’s union),” he said. “Tommy Nee has been out there.”
John Zuccaro, president of Salaried Employees of North America Local 9158, representing 676 middle-managers, said he was confused by the mayor’s “drop-dead date” of March 15, because his union isn’t due to talk to negotiators until March 19.
Meanwhile, Boston Firefighters Local 718 president Edward Kelly blasted the cancellation of upcoming academy classes, saying “Overtime is going to skyrocket.”
Copyright 2009 Boston Herald