70% more cops per capita than any other state, making 50% more than the average cop in the US according to FBI data, why?
Many of those cops are in our suburbs manning speed traps to help pay for the cost of so many cops. So it’s a vicious circle – we’re actually paying people to drive up our auto insurance premiums just so they can justify their job.
Cut the police force by 50% by not replacing retiring cops, and put them on bronze level health benefits and 401(k) style defined contribution pension plans.
Then perhaps NJ goes up the rankings, our auto insurance premiums and taxes go down, and maybe we can afford some new investments in bridges, roads, tunnels and our schools instead of overpaying for public safety and public sector pensioners?
Um, unions?
Sure, let’s start by stopping enforcing quality of life complaints like solicitors, beggars, paddlers, property crime and only enforce major crimes only.
I swear doing this will save money and will not impact your home values. In paterson they only respond to major incidents so why won’t it work in ridgewood.
Keep your head in the sand, you do better there. Oh and slow down next time and you won’t get a ticket because it’s clear you and police dont see eye to eye.
11:49, you’re completely missing the pint. Which means you’re union.
2/3 of your property taxes. Yu have no [rob;em with that.
12:36 Do you have a problem with workers joining together to collectively bargain for working conditions and compensation? Don’t forget there is an employer on the opposite side of that table.
And these are the family members of the people on the town council so when there is a family member who is a police officer, fire person, works in the town hall they vote for the incumbents who control their salaries so “uncle Louie” and “aunt Mary” won’t lose their job and income. This is how they stay in power. Of course there are MORE family members and friends running the school system and school board. It all incestuous.
Ridgewood Police are, by and large, very good. The question that was put to us was, why does NJ have more cops per capita than other states? Answer – unions. Unions exist to make sure that the least qualified are guaranteed work and paid as well as the most qualified. Additionally, the union pension system is hopelessly unsustainable and when it finally breaks things will be ugly for everyone – those of us that pay for it and union members that collect it. The sooner we address this, the less bad it will be.
The nepotism in the schools is ridiculous. BF has an administrative assistant hiring friends and family.
Location is everything, I like living in a safe town and a safe neighborhood with equally safe neighboring towns. Thanks to our Ridgewood Police force that work 24/7 for all of us.
Amazing to see the union tactics, sick racist undertone, and fear mongering above on the Ridgewood blog – “We’ll turn in to Paterson!” Also a sad truth that the kids hired today won’t get defined benefit pensions, and will see their health benefits cut to bronze level all just so daddy can keep his excessive benefits today. No jam left for tomorrow.
11:49, other states can do that without 70% more cops per capita like NJ. Try sticking to the topic instead of just trolling with your union lies and racist fear mongering. SHAME ON YOU!
8:08, I’m sure you’re a police or union family so the high cost of public safety is good for you and your family, correct? The question is why do we have so many more cops per capita than every other state and why do they cost us so much? Ridgewood is a Country Club, why do we need 45 of the nation’s most expensive cops in a Village of 26,000 that is losing Valley? I think we’re over policed, and overpaying for public safety in total when you include Fire and Emergency Services + NWBCD. The Council needs to consider these costs in their long-term planning post Valley, otherwise all of the annual increases in our municipal property taxes will just be going for higher and higher public safety wages, pensions and health benefits. Why isn’t the Village converting new police & fire hires to defined contribution (401k-style) pension plans? Why aren’t they only offering Bronze level health benefits which are equivalent to private sector employer benefits? Why aren’t we asking for less accumulated unused sick leave to be paid out on retirement, currently up to six months worth? The Council seems strangely silent on these issues.
743 give it a rest. Valley already said they are keeping this campus open.
Much of these plans are defined by the State anyways, to discuss is a waste of time.
2:07, give it a rest? Sorry, am I disturbing your lemonade break at the 9th hole in Florida? Clearly you’re a pension lackey. The state will have to diminish benefits BIG TIME or the money will just run out in 10 years for most of the plans. I’m sure your solution is just raise taxes on all NJ residents by 25% or more which is what will be needed absent any benefit cuts to pay for your golf rounds and Viagra (yes, platinum health plans provided to public sector workers and retirees cover Viagra prescriptions so they can screw us). Enjoy your afternoon nap time.
State needs to redefine the pension benefits and health coverages. They need to be diminished or else there won’t be anything left. The sooner this is dealt with the better.