Pork Free Budgets and Lean Resolutions

Law Enforcement is just like everyone else when it comes to the New Year. Goals are set, lists are made, and plans are abundant as to what is hoped for and expected with the flip of the calendar into the next year. And, just like everyone else, as the year starts the lists, goals and plans are altered just a bit into what is actually possible to achieve. But, this year's planning sessions include a variant that cannot be avoided. Unlike years past, this year's list is limited to the basic necessities that are needed to provide for the public's general safety.<br /> <br /> You will find no mention of funding for specialized task forces, no press conferences to show off fancy new crime fighting equipment, no brand new shiny patrol cars, no talk of pay raises, and little if any talk of simply adding a few new positions. In a period of bare bone budgeting, it has become a matter of sustaining rather than planning for the new. And, "bare bones" budgeting was probably a better description of last year's budget and the year before. This year we have cut into the bone and are seeing the marrow. With an economy still trying to recover, and a dwindling tax base, law enforcement is being put to task to uphold an oath and mission statement to simply protect and serve. They are looking at ways to do with what they have and not to expect anything else for awhile.<br /> <br /> And, they are doing this without complaining. Okay, maybe they are complaining a little bit, but the complaints are usually kept to themselves and under their breath. All government agencies are being pushed to the brink of what they are supposed to do and what they can actually do with very tight budgets. We all get that. Public safety and those general services and departments that provide for the citizens are struggling equally to ride out this economic storm.<br /> <br /> But, for the record, it is important to put a few things on the record as the budget ax begins its mighty swings for the next year. Our law enforcement and judicial systems are the backbone of everything else that government does. If law enforcement fails, everything else becomes a moot point. To borrow a phrase that is often used, but always true to its point, it truly does come down to the thin blue line. And honestly, that thin blue line cannot afford to get much thinner. To try and stretch it more could cause an irreparable snap that would cost more to repair than it would have to keep it strong in the first place. The thin blue line, if broken, will turn very quickly into a thick black line that will cause a level of havoc that we have never witnessed. An inefficient law enforcement structure, and the repercussions that would follow such a failure, will make our down turned economy struggles look like a walk in the park. We cannot afford to allow this to occur.<br /> <br /> I have never had anyone dispute the importance of a strong and viable law enforcement system. That is until the blurred line items on a budget spread sheet begin to come into focus. While supporters of general public service organizations recognize the importance of law enforcement, their support sometimes wanes if that support means removing a zero or two off of "their" line. While all of us enjoy the privileges of wonderful parks, libraries, hiking trails, and otherwise conveniences, we must never mistake privileges for necessities. It is no different than our own personal budgeting decisions. We would love to have certain things that are surely pleasurable, but we will not compromise for those pleasures if it means taking away those things that are necessities. Without strong law enforcement, our beautiful parks, libraries, and hiking trails will go unused other than that element who is interested in everything but a strong law enforcement presence. We simply must implore from our political leaders to hold firm on the needs of our overall safety. Once that is accomplished, then we can look at amenities. This is not a situation of the proverbial "which came first" riddle, "the chicken or the egg." This is a case where neither the chicken nor the egg will survive without careful and prudent decisions being made.<br /> <br /> Many economic forecasters believe that we are starting to turn the tide on what has been a rough time economically speaking. I, for one, pray that they are correct. But, until that turn is complete and we can actually see the home stretch our New Year's resolutions from a practical common sense and public safety perspective will be a very short list. Line one will say sustain public safety and sustain the public trust. Line two will say evaluate again on January 1, 2012.<br /> <br /> Until then, best wishes for a wonderful, healthy, prosperous and very safe New Year!!!

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/12/234907