By Elisabeth Nardi
Contra Costa Times
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — A new website backed by Walnut Creek police officers and managers criticizes public safety funding in Walnut Creek, and blasts the city council for cuts to police.
The site, www.thefutureofpublicsafetyinwalnutcreek.com, says police services have been cut too much, and claims current council members have placed too low a priority on public safety.
As of early Friday, it was unclear whether the website was real because it represents the Walnut Creek Police Association, a different name than either of the city’s two police unions.
But police Sgt. Steve Gorski confirmed Friday the website represents police both in the police officers’ association and the police managers association. Gorski did not have time Friday to go into detail about the website.
The site says its purpose is to give people information its backers say is unreported or underreported. The site does not appear to have any single driving issue, nor does it support any election candidate. It lists the five City Council members’ contact information and asks residents to tell local leaders their opinion on public safety.
“Our frustrated membership feels that reaching out directly to Walnut Creek residents is the only alternative left as the public safety situation in Walnut Creek continues to deteriorate,” according to the site. “Members of the City Council have shown disregard for concerns about public safety issues time and time again. We cannot stand by any longer as officers and the public are put in greater danger due to the council’s actions.”
Councilman Bob Simmons, who had not seen the website as of Friday afternoon, disagrees with the website’s premise that the council has any disregard for public safety, saying the council has the utmost respect for the entire police department. As for budget cuts, Simmons said he was presented with a police department budget he was assured would not impact the ability to provide public safety.
The association says that as demand for police services rises, resources are dwindling.
The website has six sections, dense with copy, talking about a range of issues from pensions to the library.
Assistant City Manager Lorie Tinfow said some things stated on the site as fact are inaccurate -- for example, the claim that the department has fewer police officers than it did 20 years ago.
The new website was launched just a day after the council agreed to a new contract with police managers which called for a two-year pay freeze and for managers to begin contributing to their pensions. According to that group’s attorney, the managers are not happy about their new contract or with the city.
Copyright 2010 Contra Costa Newspapers