A lot of people complain about what the police department cost, but most also think the Columbia police are not busy. A look at the county dispatch annual report that were posted on here sometime ago will tell the truth along with some of the police departments web pages.
The following numbers were taken from the respective agencies webpages (except Columbia's number of officers. I did not see it on their webpage) and the county annual dispatch report.
- Lancaster City 61297 calls / 147 officers = 416 calls per officer - Manheim Twp. 44041 calls / 65 officers = 677 calls per officer - Columbia Boro. 12918 calls / 18 officers = 717 calls per officer
Don't read into these numbers too much. When it comes to numbers, it is all about how you crunch them. Some agencies create a "Call" if they stop and put a ticket on an illegally parked car while others do not. What needs to be looked at is the type of calls and the amount of time spent on the call. Just by talking with some of the guys in Columbia, I would bet they are spending more time on more serious calls than other agencies. I don't know what the answer is but we as cititzens have to take a more proative stance toward the scum who want to ruin the town with their "style of living". Don't be intimidated by them. If you see one of them acting like an animal on the street, such as cursing and swearing, throwing litter on the ground, playing music loud enough to be heard in Wrightsville, etc, stand up to them. If we don't, the animals will take over. And I will fall back on the article about the free lunches. While the people putting this together have good intentions, they are doing nothing but creating an entitlement mindset by not forcing those who choose to have these children to take care of them. Stop letting them be lazy, make them feed their kids instead of having someone else do it for them.
With the obvious drug population now residing in the boro, it's obvious we need every officer we can get for our tax dollars. Crime comes along with the drug use.
I don't know who you are trying to kid. These cops have no vested interest in Columbia except for financial. Not one officer makes less then $70,000/year, which is public record. So they are worth PLENTY according to their pay. How many of them live in the borough? Hell the new chief wanted to be able to move OUT once he got in his position, council denied him. This is a very small borough, geographically. These cops should be out on bikes and on foot. Funny how our mayor suggests that parents should be walking kids to school but does he recommend the same for his officers? I think not!!
Agreed the police should live in the area where they work. However, I can see they may be nervous about doing so, fearing repercussions from the criminal element.
Remember it's everyone's responsibility to curb crime, not just the paid few. If you see crime, report it. Obey laws so someone else doesn't have to report you. Stand up to lawbreakers and prevent crime when you see a situation.
Oh, and I'm "Anonymous" because I don't feel like getting weird phone calls that force me to call the police.
I think our police force does a great job with what they have to work with sure we could hire more officers but then who wants there taxes to go up to pay for them. Also think Chief Brommer is doing a great job and I have heard him out answering calls himself numerous times. With the way this town is getting we are lucky anyone even wants to be a cop in this town let alone complain about there pay. One thing they need to do is get rid of the dispatchers and use that money for additional officers. County handles the calls just fine when there is no dispatcher on duty.
The police are the thin blue line between us and the criminals. Or in the case of Columbia and West Hempfield police, the thin GRAY line, based on the color of their uniforms.
you know 75% of the problems are the transients who bring the bus to Columbia and take advantage, create many problems, destroy their apt, etc....Columbia MUST find a way to STOP all these transients from entering and staying in the boro. Lancaster city took action how many years ago, it worked for them-hell they all come here.
i think the big thing is-code officers give instant citations like police do...for dog shit, trash, high grass, they go after the BIG offrenders and concentrate on them instead of the piddley stuff. its bad enough our taxes are unaffordable to most of the residents....it's a real sin. this toewn will soon be a ghost town. no chance. no choise. theres no money to spend.
Another mayor Lutz F U K up! 5 million dollars a year for police, 18 full time cops!! unreal!!!
ReplyDeleteA lot of people complain about what the police department cost, but most also think the Columbia police are not busy. A look at the county dispatch annual report that were posted on here sometime ago will tell the truth along with some of the police departments web pages.
ReplyDeleteThe following numbers were taken from the respective agencies webpages (except Columbia's number of officers. I did not see it on their webpage) and the county annual dispatch report.
- Lancaster City 61297 calls / 147 officers = 416 calls per officer
- Manheim Twp. 44041 calls / 65 officers = 677 calls per officer
- Columbia Boro. 12918 calls / 18 officers = 717 calls per officer
Don't read into these numbers too much. When it comes to numbers, it is all about how you crunch them. Some agencies create a "Call" if they stop and put a ticket on an illegally parked car while others do not. What needs to be looked at is the type of calls and the amount of time spent on the call. Just by talking with some of the guys in Columbia, I would bet they are spending more time on more serious calls than other agencies. I don't know what the answer is but we as cititzens have to take a more proative stance toward the scum who want to ruin the town with their "style of living". Don't be intimidated by them. If you see one of them acting like an animal on the street, such as cursing and swearing, throwing litter on the ground, playing music loud enough to be heard in Wrightsville, etc, stand up to them. If we don't, the animals will take over. And I will fall back on the article about the free lunches. While the people putting this together have good intentions, they are doing nothing but creating an entitlement mindset by not forcing those who choose to have these children to take care of them. Stop letting them be lazy, make them feed their kids instead of having someone else do it for them.
DeleteWith the obvious drug population now residing in the boro, it's obvious we need every officer we can get for our tax dollars. Crime comes along with the drug use.
ReplyDeleteObviously.
DeleteI agree.
DeleteTell Greenya, the borough is NOT quick to pay back pay or make anyone feel that they were worth anything. Even with all the years of devotion.....
ReplyDeleteI can think of instances where this is true.
DeleteI don't know who you are trying to kid. These cops have no vested interest in Columbia except for financial. Not one officer makes less then $70,000/year, which is public record. So they are worth PLENTY according to their pay. How many of them live in the borough? Hell the new chief wanted to be able to move OUT once he got in his position, council denied him. This is a very small borough, geographically. These cops should be out on bikes and on foot. Funny how our mayor suggests that parents should be walking kids to school but does he recommend the same for his officers? I think not!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed the police should live in the area where they work. However, I can see they may be nervous about doing so, fearing repercussions from the criminal element.
DeleteRemember it's everyone's responsibility to curb crime, not just the paid few. If you see crime, report it. Obey laws so someone else doesn't have to report you. Stand up to lawbreakers and prevent crime when you see a situation.
Oh, and I'm "Anonymous" because I don't feel like getting weird phone calls that force me to call the police.
I'd like to see more bike patrols and foot patrols.
DeleteIsn't this funny all the comments are signed Anonymous because all the writers are COWARDS hiding behind a word.
ReplyDeleteLOL, look at you Anonymous! Who are you??
ReplyDeleteI think our police force does a great job with what they have to work with sure we could hire more officers but then who wants there taxes to go up to pay for them. Also think Chief Brommer is doing a great job and I have heard him out answering calls himself numerous times. With the way this town is getting we are lucky anyone even wants to be a cop in this town let alone complain about there pay. One thing they need to do is get rid of the dispatchers and use that money for additional officers. County handles the calls just fine when there is no dispatcher on duty.
ReplyDeleteThe police are the thin blue line between us and the criminals. Or in the case of Columbia and West Hempfield police, the thin GRAY line, based on the color of their uniforms.
Deleteyou know 75% of the problems are the transients who bring the bus to Columbia and take advantage, create many problems, destroy their apt, etc....Columbia MUST find a way to STOP all these transients from entering and staying in the boro. Lancaster city took action how many years ago, it worked for them-hell they all come here.
ReplyDeleteHow did Lancaster do it?
DeleteI've received a few comments that are potentially libelous. Sorry, but I can't publish those.
ReplyDeletei think the big thing is-code officers give instant citations like police do...for dog shit, trash, high grass, they go after the BIG offrenders and concentrate on them instead of the piddley stuff. its bad enough our taxes are unaffordable to most of the residents....it's a real sin. this toewn will soon be a ghost town. no chance. no choise. theres no money to spend.
ReplyDelete