Citizen wrote on Oct 18, 2008 5:18 PM:Why is she saying no officer can take a car home..her husband does!! as other officers... She better start at home...

Whos Money is it wrote on Oct 18, 2008 5:46 PM:Taxpayers don't like wasting money. We pay taxes for police services in Escondido, not police commutes.

Chief wrote on Oct 18, 2008 5:48 PM:So does the chief of police drive a car out of town? Maybe that's why he wouldn't trade it for the world. Hey, how about you spend the gas money on more check points - serve the Citizens of Escondido.

Sly wrote on Oct 18, 2008 5:53 PM:What about all the officers that don't get the free gas money - what do they get? Nothing. It's not right.

Micro-Manage wrote on Oct 18, 2008 5:57 PM:What about that time the council tried to make officers be immigration agents - wasn't that micromanaging? Oh, and what about making officers enforce the parking ordinance - cops turned into meter-maids. Oh, micromanage away...pick something really important. What waste.

Oh Sure wrote on Oct 18, 2008 6:51 PM:Oh Sure...Gallo & Abed don't want to micromanage.

And I'm the toothfairy.

Vote them Out in November!!

No More Abed & Gallo!!

Solution Guy wrote on Oct 18, 2008 6:52 PM:You can just imagine how popular Olga will be with the police department if she is elected. Just about every police department lets their cops drive their cars home. Vote for Sam Abed and Ed Gallo. They will be best for Escondido and the morale of Escondido's police.

Important wrote on Oct 18, 2008 6:53 PM:It's important for Gallo & Abed to offer up take home cars for officers...

but, it is not important for them to staff the fire dept as it should be.

Priorities. Priorities. Abed & Gallo don't know the meaning of the word!

Citizens of chamber wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:06 PM:We at the Citizens of Chamber (all four of us) think that allowing cops to take their cars home is a small price to pay for a quality benefit to our hard-working cops. Olga is toxic. We support the current council and their work with the police department. Stay classy.

where is home wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:10 PM:out-of-town officers are getting a "free-ride". $125,000 just on gas.

Clueless Lisa wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:23 PM:I agree with Citizens of Chamber. How do I join your fine organization?

BIG PHAT wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:39 PM:BIG PHAT PAY RAISES PENSIONS HEALTH BENEFITS - A DAY IN THE LIVES OF THE INBUMBENTS!

LETS DO A RAIN DANCE AND

REPLACE
ALL
INCUMBENTS
NOW

Vote for Quality wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:52 PM:Vote for Quality!

Vote for Olga Diaz and Richard Barron!!

They will use their financial expertise to help clean up the financial mess the city is in now...and the mess that is yet to come (as our national economy is sinking into a deeper recession)!

Vote for Olga and Richard!

Abed Says wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:59 PM:Abed says that $125,000 is miniscule in comparison to the $86 million dollar budget.

Ah Ha!! So that is the problem!!

Abed considers $125,000 to be miniscule.

No wonder our city has another deficit!! A $9.8 million dollar revenue shortfall!

No wonder the city had to cut most city departments by 7.5%!

No wonder the city had a $1.4 million dollar deficit and have to pull from the reserves!

No wonder our parade and city celebrations got kicked to the gutter...

Abed says $125,000 is miniscule!

Tell that to the non-profits!!

Vote Abed (&GAllo) out!!!

To Pollution Guy wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:01 PM:That's no solution! And it's no surprise either. You should change your name to "solutionless guy" or "delusion guy" or "pollution guy".

Pollution guy fills up the blogs with garbage!

Whatever solution(less) guy advises...do the exact opposite!!

Miniscule wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:13 PM:We all watched the council fight over a just a couple thousand dollars to get the budget passed this year - now $125,000 is miniscule? They raise fees for all sorts of stuff, but they can't cut real fat.

Rubber Stamps wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:27 PM:Ed & Sam - you confuse support for EPD with concern for the public's safety. Do you really not see the distinction between rubber stamping what the chief says and watching out for the voters that elected you? You're supposed to be watching out for the voters/taxpayers!

Sollution Guy wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:34 PM:Morale? City staff morale is pretty bad. We don't get raises, don't get take-home cars, don't even get job security. If cops want to live out of town, they should consider commuting a personal expense. The rest of us have to pay for our own way to work.

Voelker French wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:35 PM:Ok - let's just start over. Vote for Voelker & French.

Jeff wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:16 PM:To save money. Lets cut the Escondido SWAT team. San Diego County Sheriff SWAT Team will give us their service for free in Escondido.

$Cost$ of training Escondido SWAT officers.
$Cost$ of keeping the Escondido SWAT Vehicles running
$Cost$ of buying equipment stuff for the Escondido Swat team. Etc,Etc,Etc.

That would save lots of money right there!

Shes crazy wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:22 PM:Olga obviously doesn't do her homework before opening her mouth. The city has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years with this program. An average EPD car lasts TEN years! Other depts. that don't have this program have to replace a car every TWO years! An equipped police car is around 25,000 dollars. So Olga, figure out the math there. You are attacking the majorly understaffed and now one of the lowest paid police departments in the county to try and save a few bucks here...but you will be costing the city much more in the long run. Please do the cops a favor and just go make another pot of coffee.

Stop them all wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:35 PM:Don't pick on EPD, go to any Temecula or Murrieta neighborhood. You'll see them all, San Diego Sheriff's cars, San Diego PD cars, LA Sheriffs, I even saw an Anaheim car there. I love to see the Police cars in my neighborhood, just don't park in front of my house. I don't want to get egged.

Two plus two equals nine wrote on Oct 18, 2008 11:32 PM:So Olga wants to cover the 750 thousand dollar cost of hiring nine new firefighters with the 125 thousand dollars she 'saves' by slowing down response times for off-duty police officers and damaging the city's bargaining position when it comes to recruiting new officers? Must be that 'new math' they're teaching up north.

And this is the 'public safety candidate'? NOT!!!

to Maher wrote on Oct 19, 2008 12:08 AM:if Abed said that he doesn't give orders to the chief, then why he's doing evrything that they tell him?

jvc wrote on Oct 19, 2008 4:06 AM:Olga! Olga! Olga! Wait until you get elected before you take on the establishment!

To Shes Crazy wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:43 AM:No one objects to what is referred to as the personal patrol car; that program is not in dispute. What is a concern is the length to which an officer is allowed to commute in the vehicle. Even if the commuting distance were reduced to a reasaonable limit (for the first 20 years of the plan the limit was ten miles) officers would still have their own patrol car. It would just be parked waiting for them at the PD instead of in their driveway in Riverside County. By the way, if you or Ed or Sam ever want to have a math contest or crunch the numbers with OD, I'm sure she would love the opportunity. She has a degree in accounting from a prestigous University and she did audit work for one of the largest accounting firms in the world. I think she a "figure out the math". Can you?

Joe wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:00 AM:Why do most of the police live out of town? Doesn't that say something about our fair city?

600000 wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:31 AM:That's how many COMMUTER miles cops are putting on cars. No one is asking you to give up your police car - you can keep your own vehicle - just leave it in the parking lot and drive 40 miles each way IN YOUR OWN CAR. That squad car will wait patiently.

Forum Issue wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:52 AM:I was at the forum where this came up. I believe the question was about how to find areas to cut spending and ways to increase sales tax. Her answer was thorough - including ideas about enticing business to open in Escondido. I can't remember what they all said, but Abed and Gallo are waiting on the downtown hotel to bring money in four years from now.

BE REAL CLEAR FOLKS wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:52 AM:THE TAKE HOME CAR PROGRAMIS JUST ABOUT THE ONLY BENEFIT THESEOFFICERS HAVE! ESCONDIDO OFFICERS START LOOSING THE ONLY PERK TO THIER JOB AND THEY WILL EASILY COME TO OTHER CITIES! OCEANSIDE PD WOULD LOVE THEM TO COME OVER! SEASONS SKILLED POLICE OFFICERS. TELL YA WHAT, WE WILL GIVE THOSE OFFIERS HIGHER PAY, A BETTERRETIREMENT THAT WILL LAST THEM A LIFE TIME. NOT SOEM STUPID CAR. hA! YOU FOLKS DON'T GET IT. IF THEY GIVE THEM A CAR, IT DOESN'T GET FIGURED INTO A PENSION. KEEP IT UP FOLKS! THESE OFFICERS HAVE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS IN NORTH COUNTY WITH LITTLE OR NO RESOURCES. YET THEY KEEP THE CRIME MINIMAL. START PUSHING THE COPS AROUND AND THEY WILL LEAVE LIKE SDPD, TO CITIES THAT APPRECIATE THIER SERVICE!

That is what surprises me wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:12 AM:EPD gets paid squat! Escondido may just start loosing some more officers! Let's see what hapens to home values when crime goes up more. Thes folks in blue have put up with a lot working for basically pennies tothe dollars to thier adjacent police departments! Why would an officer stay when they can make more money esle where in Murrieta, Temecula, Oceanside, Carlsbad etc. If having that foolish car keeps them, I say leave them alone and stop screwing with the public servants! We can't afford to have crime go out of control! Less Police, more crime! More Crime, Less housing values and more reason not to stay in Escondido!

Ever wonder where all the California Ghost towns came from wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:17 AM:from local government not appreciating public servants and funding them. If the polcie leave the illegals and bad guy come in and open up for business! We do not need this! Diaz says crime is down and the police have fewer callouts! Well that is because these police officers and the Chief have supported the city by keeping it that way! Start taking the only benefit to working in Escondido as compared to other PD's and you will see what happens to the crime rate! Like Diaz has the inside skinny to the police because she is married to a police Lt. Big deal! Problems do not get solved over pillow talk!! Leave our city police alone! I support them!

Concerned Mother wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:15 AM:As a long time Escondido resident, I support allowing officers drving their patrol cars home and I support paying for the fuel and maintenance. Why, because we have one of the finest, most dedicated police force in a city with many challenges. If you take away this benifit then you should raise all their pay enough to cover a car and monthly gas. Can you really blame them for wanting to provide a nice home for their family where ever it may be? Support Police and Fire, give them both a car allowance.

Smooth Move wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:19 AM:Way to go, Olga, start a little class war between the police department and the fire department. Sheer Genius.

Lisa Lisa wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:43 AM:I can certainly appreciate Olga's NEED to take a stand on an issue (seeing as immigration has momentarily lost steam) but this is the wrong one. Citizen's on a whole value safety and while there may be be dollars to be saved at first glance, the majority is willing to pick up the cost because of the percieved benefit. Olga's stand on this issue will ultimately cost her more than it will benefit her.

Oside no dif wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:54 AM:If they think the drive to Temecula is long from Esco, what about O'side. All the O'side Detectives and K-9's that live east of the city. Someone should do a cost study on that one. Total waste of money. By the way Esco, I wouldn't pick a PD just because they get a car, try wages and working conditions, as the main reason. Thats why I am in O'side.

Lady Lipz wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:04 AM:I support Gallo and Abed. Heavens knows what this Olga person will do to divert money to public employees like her police officer husband. You notice he would still get to drive his car home under her plan. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Let's hear Olga say no policeman should have his own taxpayer owned car to take home. Until she does this is just more smelly hot air.

Why cops dont live here wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:04 AM:Joe's question as to why many officers don't live in Escondido is a sure clue that he doesn't understand personal safety issues these officers face. Imagine arresting somebody from Escondido and incarcerating them and then running into them at Von's later -- or worse yet, having your wife and kids exposed to the bad guys you've busted. It has nothing to do with Escondido police officers not liking Escondido; living in the same town where one enforces the law is a concern of police officers everywhere they serve.
While I'm at it, I've listened to Olga at two candidate forums and have read about her views via the media and flyers. Seems to me she's more a "data wonk" who can crunch numbers than she is a big-picture person. I'm not electing a Big 8 accountant; I'm looking for someone who understands how to protect and serve the community at large. She seems more interested in being the city's finance director -- a position that's appointed. We should be electing people who understand the Council-Manager form of government -- something every student who takes a basic political science course should know about.

While they discuss wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:42 AM:that matter, they need to discuss why a tax paid City owned firetruck is being used as a election billboard on Grand Ave? The pictures have been taken and will be sent to the proper authorities, but in the mean time, WHY IS MY FIRETRUCK SITTING ON GRAND AVE. SUPPORING CANIDADTES ELECTION SIGNS? igns, that I as a taxcpayer who votes Firefighters want to seek voters for certain canidates, do it on your own dime, not the taxpayers!!

Bill wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:56 AM:I can see taking it away from Detectives and hostage negotiators...but obviously K9's and SWAT need to have their car no matter where they live.

Karl wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:21 AM:Excellent points "Why cops dont live here @ 9:04 AM". You would have to be pretty ignorant not to follow your points.

Bob wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:35 AM:Just how is building a parking garage for idle police cars, and another for police officers' private cars going to result in saving big bucks?

JSten wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:37 AM:I didn't read all of the comments here.

I think the public needs to take a square look at the patters of vehicle usage and the costs.

Employees should not set policy, the Council and the Public need to state what should be acceptable.

Last week I saw three Escondido Cruisers heading north on the 15 over the Rainbow pass toward Temecula. I just assumed it was official police business as they were heading toward the checkpoint. But now I wonder.

At $3.50 per gallon assuming a round trip of 60 miles (Escondido to Temecula) and for five days per week this costs the City about $60. For the year (say 45 weeks)thats about $2,600 per car per year.

If you apply the IRS rate its more like $6,750.

Use your own assumptions, but those Crown Vics don't move for free.

Right on Point wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:38 AM:"Why Cops Don't Live Here" is right on point. Well said. By the way, It is interesting that Olga has taken this view after the police union declined to endorse her. The fire union endorsed her and she has no issues with their expenses? Interesting. Vote NO for Olga Diaz!!!

Question wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:43 AM:Do the supervisors (Lieutenants and Sergeants) get to take cars home?

Oncall Officers wrote on Oct 19, 2008 12:13 PM:should be allowed to take their vehicles home, but in no other circumstance. I personally know detectives who work for SDPD who never take their cars home. However, they do get paid gas money and mileage because they are oncall most of the time. They quite often have to leave in the middle of the night or on days off when they get a lead in their case. I do think, however, this is an issue that should be looked into at EPD. It could use some revisions!

Demitrius wrote on Oct 19, 2008 12:59 PM:For Bill on your comment on K-9 and SWAT being able to take cars home. Obviously you are a K-9 or SWAT Officer. If I am not mistaken, does SWAT not meet at the station and go to the location in a SWAT vehicle? I can see the K-9 because of the dog but the SWAT... it is just a scam.

CitizenX wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:02 PM:To all the police officers and spouses of police officers responding with their scare tactics, please include the statistics to support your theory regarding the number of incidents of retribution by criminals targeting you or your spouse in Escondido because you are a police officer. I thought police officers were allowed to carry guns off duty. From the responses to this article, I would have to conclude that Escondido is not a safe place to live since the police officers are afraid to live here. What are we simple citizens going to do if the majority of the police force runs away at the end of the day and we are not allowed to defend ourselves. Wouldn't it also be easy to ifentify you as a police officer and where you live when you park your patrol car in your driveway or in front of your home everyday. Don't tell me you always hide your vehicles in your garage.

Save wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:07 PM:Sorry, it's just time the City started saving money. If you're commuting on the taxpayers dime, and then charging back for parades - you're taking too much. You get paid for your work, that should be enough.

To Question 1143 wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:17 PM:Lieutenants and Sergeants get to take their cars home the same as officers. If they live within 10 miles of the city or are assigned to a position that allows the exemption. Otherwise, their cars are parked in the lot like the other officers.

How come at wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:19 PM:the Escondido Fair on Grand we have a taxpayer paid firetruck hung with Vote for Olga election signs? DA or City care to comment?

John from Escondido wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:22 PM:Why is it such a big deal where police officers live. Does everyone live in the city they work in. Officers give their working hours to the city. I don't understand why it is of such concern where they choose to sleep. I don't buy into the hype about running into people they arrested while they are off duty or their families being targeted. I think that everyone should be allowed to live where they want. As far as the cars go, if it is a benefit they signed on for....great leave it alone. If it is not a benefit that officers negotiated in lieu of pay raises, then in these tough times they may have to give it up. Everyone should stop being so dramatic about this issue.

JR wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:26 PM:Cheif Maher needs to do his administrative duty by temporarily taking the cars away from ALL those who live out of the 10mi limit. Its the right thing to do in hard times. If unclassified employee's are getting their wages frozen, then the savings from the cars will help sustain thier pay. Fair is Fair. Cops are not special.

Miles per Gallon wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:27 PM:Everyone should preface their comments from this point forward with the number of miles you drive your police car out of town. That way we'll all know why you defend the expense.

Amen CitizenX wrote on Oct 19, 2008 2:49 PM:Perhaps if Escondido is so overidden with dangerous criminals preying on police officers and their families, then maybe the City Council could set up a green zone for these officers with low interest loans so they could afford to live here. The Green Zone could be protected by a detachment of young marines (who do not get overtime or take their tanks home at the end of the day). I bet the marines wouldn't mind living and working in dangerous Escondido vs. some rat infested fox hole in Iraq.

Larry wrote on Oct 19, 2008 3:38 PM:Are these law abiding officers declaring this benefit on their income taxes as taxable compensation? Are there any IRS agents out there reading this article?

Semper Paratus wrote on Oct 19, 2008 3:40 PM:Ok, sure I get the benefit of driving my car to my home. As a SWAT Officer, I am on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I will drop whatever I am doing at work, or off-duty when I am with my family to come to help the citizens of Escondido who I serve. Would you? However, are you and the community willing to wait the extra time for me to drive my personal car from my home, to the police station to get my patrol car, and then to the critical incident? My response time with lights and siren from my front door to ANY location in the City of Escondido is 30 minutes or less. Driving my own car will make it a minimum 1 hour response time or longer. The City of Escondido enjoys a highly professional SWAT Team and we are here to serve you and whatever calls. How quicky people forget the Sonrisa Glen incident, Midway Dr, and Goldenrod incidents and all the others. If the benefit is removed. I will be fine, life goes on. It's the community that will be effected most when you need SWAT right now!!!

Demitrius is Wrong wrote on Oct 19, 2008 3:59 PM:Unless you are talking about the TV program or movie "SWAT," most SWAT cops drive their vehicles directly to the scene so that they are there with their equipment and available instead of all tied up waiting for others to arrive. So yes, you are mistaken.

Olga Diaz is too. My votes go to Abed and Gallo.

Olga doesnt listen wrote on Oct 19, 2008 4:17 PM:The chief pointed out the ways the car program actually saves the city money, such as recruitment/retention of good officers and the extra care the cars receive.

But the accountant Olga seems only interested in her set of numbers. If Olga wants to manage the police maybe she should work her way up from the bottom of the PD like Maher did.

As an Esco citizen I say let the chief do his job and don't try to alienate our EPD officers. No on Olga!

Cops are not special wrote on Oct 19, 2008 4:27 PM:Really JR? Hey I feel bad for the unclassified employees you mention, I really do. You may be one or have one in your family or friends, so it is probably personal for you. But those employees are not the 8 or so who come in the night when one of the 130,000 people in this city call 911. So your conclusion is wrong.

To CitizenX wrote on Oct 19, 2008 4:30 PM:You are right, us cops are allowed to carry guns off duty.....but god forbid we ever actually use one to defend ourselves or our family.

Please... wrote on Oct 19, 2008 4:36 PM:Why do people assume if someone feels the officers deserve to take their vehicles home, that they are officers or wives of officers? I have NO affiliation, and I support the officers in the matter. Come on people, these officers put their lives on the line for us and we are complaining about vehicle expenses? Olga does a great disservice to our officers.

no raises for 2 years wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:35 PM:The city has already denied raises to EPD for 2 years. No pay increase for 2 years for the most difficult job in the city. Take away the cars too, and morale will plummet lower than it already is... why work for a city that offers no support?

Karl wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:53 PM:JR @1:26 PM, I beg to differ, Cops are very special. I for one am not wired to protect people like you and then take your abuse on top of it. If driving a squad car home helps to recruit the best I'm all for it. If I was in need of help from the police I certainly wouldn't want you showing up.

Not a city fire truck wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:05 PM:A couple of people raised questions about a city fire truck being involved in campaigning (with Olga and Sam signs on it)...the City of Escondido doesn't own any red fire trucks...they are all white. The red truck you see is owned by the Escondido Fire Fighters Association or they sometimes rent one. They most definitely cannot campaign on city time or using city vehicles.

To Semper Paratus wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:31 PM:Low morale, at least you still have a job. On call 24 hours a day, thanks. Pulling a fast one, no thanks.

No Raises wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:34 PM:Didn't I hear you all got $2,000 stipends? What about all that over-time for parades?

Council Impact wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:39 PM:To a PD that supports Abed and Gallo, then complains about not having enough resources - you let these guys waste all sorts of money on pet projects. You support them blindly, then complain when they can't provide raises. It's only gonna get worse in this economy. Good luck with those two.

jvc wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:47 PM:Does not matter if it was not a real
city fire truck, what matters is that it was the perception of a real city fire truck!

what is most important wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:12 PM:is the response time that it takes these officers to reach a scene. Most of these out of towners are on a special detail. All are on call at one point or another. Also, if you have a car parked at home, don't you think criminals think twice about robbing in that neighborhood? A lot of good comes from take home privledges. There are many departments that provide this service. Contrary to what people may think, cops don't make a whole heck of a lot of money. They have their bills, mortgages and pay taxes like you and I. I would say dump the money pit arts center and hire more cops. They are the ones that are going to get Escondido back on track. Not a bunch of overpaid politicans.

Dont Give wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:31 PM:Don't give me that CRAP!!

Officers are paid quite well!!

And they get health benefits, retirement/pension benefits!!

Nobody forced these people to be cops...so if they feel like they deserve more money...then they should move on to a new career!

A military man has to spend at least 20 years in service before they can even think about getting ANY retirement type benefits.

The public sector (like city employees, firefighters & cops) do not have to spend 20 years working for the city to get benefits...they have the ability to "retire" and gain "retirement" benefits without putting in 20 years!! There is something desperately wrong with this picture!!

Now...for some facts and you can check this on the city's website.

According to the 07/08 Budget, the Police Department "employee services" (which includes pay, health benefits and pensions) totaled: $29,867,095 and there are only 236 employees (135 police officers).

So don't even try to give us the line that police officers aren't paid much!!!
That's just nonsense. Again, noone forced anyone to become an officer - if the pay isn't ENOUGH, then I would suggest that those ones (that say it isn't) are not officers to help their community...but to build their retirement and benefits package!

Vote Abed & Gallo out - they still don't understand how to handle an $86 million dollar budget!

Can I get a "we got another deficit" WOO HOO? Vote the incumbents OUT!!!

to jvc wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:34 PM:I'm sure you would have been happier if the candidates listed were to your favor, eh?

Demitrius wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:46 PM:I never saw the SWAT movie. The preview looked stupid and unreal.I guess I was mistaken when I read the article about the SWAT vehicle and when I saw a bunch of SWAT officers getting out of a SWAT vehicle when they responded to a call in my neighborhood. I must have been blind. Sorry I guess none of you get together and discuss the situation before you go out to a call. You just respond to the location. I support the police but some of you SWAT guys need to get off your high horse. By the way, I am voting for Abed abd Gallo.

ToKarl wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:48 PM:You say you are not wired to protect people...so, I'm just wondering why do you keep saying you want to protect the people from criminals and gangbangers and daytime kidnappings and illegally parked/abandoned vehicles and graffitti artists, Sam? How do you think it is possible to stop all the crime?

to jvc wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:57 PM:reality matters more than perception

Robert wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:58 PM:It sounds like police officers have a division amongst thier ranks. It sounds like the SWAT and K-9 officers feel they are better or more valuable than the other officers if you listen to Bill. Also I cannot believe officers waste their time responding to these blogs. You guys have enough stress. Don't add to it.

Lloyd wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:04 PM:I agree with the part about micro managing. Or even public managing, which everyone in this forum is doing. Unless you understand the compplexity of an issue then I would think that it is best left up to the person in charge; the chief of police. Tell him how much his budget is and let him decide how it is spent. Otherwise there is no need for a bunch of hens to debate but one line item of a budget.

JR wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:29 PM:Apparently there a couple of officers posting her tonight. From what I gather reading your comments, it's okay for other city employee's to suffer finincial hardship while you remain "special." Wow..greedy too. You all make close to 100k a year (or more) yet you folks are unwilling (based on your comments)to bend to help out fellow city employee's. It's a tough economy...help out a little.

To Semper Paratus wrote on Oct 19, 2008 9:48 PM:30 mins to respond to a volitile/violent situaion?? Are you kidding me?? Your 30min commute does nobody any good. Way to long sir. You know darn well that the shooting has long stopped and the incident is in a holding pattern by the time you get there, get dressed and breif. The argument that SWAT/Negotiators need take home cars is a straw man argument. I would like to see NCTimes compile a list of all the Emergency incidents SWAT/ENT have responded to over the last five years. Lets also see if the outcomes of these incidents might of changed (or remained the same) if the police responded to the station first.

Karl wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:19 PM:ToKarl @ 8:48 PM

What's up with this "Sam" stuff?

Karl wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:24 PM:Dont Give @ 8:31 PM

My wife has been a City for a little more than 20 years so I know exactly how their retirement works. While they may earn retirement pay before 20 years of service it isn't much. The retirement pay formula is weighted very heavily on years of service. It is also a taxpayers nightmare.

Karl wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:28 PM:Well put Lloyd @ 9:04 PM. If the Chief isn't doing the job fire hi[m] and get a new one, otherwise let him do his job.

wow wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:55 PM:where is voelker, french, and Barron comments? Is the olgar and Sammy hogging the press? or are these guys not saying anything? What the heck. Stop the Press!!! Has the NCT endorsed Olgar and Sammy? That's all you read about. Im sick of it.. There are other people running. They never mention any comments they make. So whats up NCT? You afraid to comment their quotes? I happen to know for fact that they were there and made similar comments about the issues. Just neve seems to get in the papers. How about it NCT? Are you pushing the election to run your way? Guess the pen removes the level playing field for the other candidates. You know how about TRYING to play fair here. These other guys need some publicity too!

HPST DAD wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:59 PM:Olga is right. I agree with everything she says.
VOTE OLGA!

To JR wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:01 PM:Help out a little? Oh, you mean like the fire union did by not demanding that the city hire nine new employees to do the same work that was being done without them the prior week, then throwing a temper tantrum when they only got two? Oh... wait... they're "special".

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:07 PM:Let us not forget this "benefit" was at 1982 gas prices.The world is a different place today 2008.

Let us not forget that Police Officers are PAID 75% of their SALARY at retirement for the rest of their lives.

Lastly,a GOOD COP is a GOOD COP.They are not just "GOOD" for the money it's a passion,it's in their gut.

Semper fi wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:09 PM:Lets vote outside the box this time.. Vote French, Voelker or Barron. Barron Im not sure about though. He seems to want to push Olga instead of himself. How about it Barron??? Whats the plan? All I hear her do is whine about ethinicity issues and now police car use? Have you heard of pride of ownership? Ask your hubby, he'll tell you. As for Sam, he and his papers, charts and other things from the past dont do anything for the future of this town. A lot of those papers cost this city taxp[ayers alot of money and will continue to do so. We need to get people back to this city. Remove the damaged goods and start over. As far as Ed??? Well he's Ed.I think he's done good but as you see, not even the firemen are for him. OUCH! So much for the dynamic-duo. Olga's hanging with Sam now. But again when time is needed he'll swing back to Ed or one of the others. Whatever helps the most at the moment. That's loyalty for ya!huh?
People........ We need a change.
WE THE PEOPLE NEED CHANGE>>>>> LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN PEOPLE>>>>>> OTHERWISE WERE STUCK. GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

jvc wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:50 PM:Let us call it what it is, public unions that play politics are a conflict of interest!

heloooo wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:53 PM:go voelker and french!

heloo wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:55 PM:125 back doesnt equal 9 fireman// got anything eslse up ur sleeve?

Cotton Ballz wrote on Oct 20, 2008 12:40 AM:Don't mess with the Firefighters you might get burned.
* GALLO,BAD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY *

Coolest political sign this year!


GO Escondido Fire Fighters Union!

THE TRUTH WINS!

jvc wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:12 AM:All this has to do with the interference of the electoral/ political process by public unions!
Elections are now about the power of
public unions to impose their self-interest agenda over the public interest!

To why cops wrote on Oct 20, 2008 6:12 AM:So this must be new and must not worry all cops. Are you sure it's me who's not understanding here? I've known cops in this town since to 50's. Back then, most of them lives here. Most of the guys I went to school with, that became cops have either left the force or moved out of the area...about the time when the bad guys started shooting back.

I think what you don't understand and it's probably because you too are blinded by it, is that fear does funny things to people.

Make sure you look out of the peep hole before opening your door to go to work now!

Dude wrote on Oct 20, 2008 6:50 AM:Bus Passes for Everyone.

Cop to Semper wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:05 AM:You might fool all the people that watch SWAT shows, but give a cop a break. First of all if you are 30 away code three you shouldn't be SWAT, live too far,and if it adds another 30 when your car should be loaded and ready at the station, there is something wrong. Second of all it is rare there is a hostage situation where time matters, most SWAT calls are either search warrants or a barricaded suspects, neither of which are that time sensative. I have seen it and been there (SWAT) time after time of SWAT call outs, once you get to the scene its sit and wait for the cops on the parimeter to be relieved except for the SWAT scouts. So Mr Semper quit being a legend in your mind. True SWAT members don't think so high and mighty of themselves.

To Semper wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:23 AM:As I recall, all three incidents you cited took hours to resolve. Without looking back at the news clippings I think they all lasted over 4 or 5 hours. I am not sure how you driving your car here from Temecula helped anyone out on any of those incidents. My guess is that our patrol officers contained those calls until SWAT got there and took over. Then it took SWAT hours to finish it off. On another note, do you drive your car around all the time off duty? It seems to me that if you are not in your car and get the big "emergency" call, won't it take you longer to go home, get your car and equipment and then drive to the scene. Wouldn't it be faster to drive your 30 miles to the station and pick everything up. Lord forbid you were at Sea World when you special skills were needed? Don't use the big things usually happen when I am at home line. All of the incidents you mentioned started during the day and I am sure you were out living your life as everyone does.

JR to Cop wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:32 AM:I agree with you 100% regarding Semper's comments. From what I understand, detectives are called out on a regular basis from home. Though I feel they should also give up there cars, but if a groups was to keep them, it should be investigators. Everyone else should park'em until the economy improves

The real question is wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:48 AM:If these best-of-the-best officers are so great at protecting our safety and making our city a great place to live, then why do 119 out of 135 live outside of Escondido?

119 or 135 Speaks Volumes. wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:01 AM:The Policemen should be required to live within the city limits. Here we are trying to create jobs for Escondidans in Escondido and we're not only allowing them live outside the boundaries, but take the patrol cars out of the city at taxpayer expense. Add to that the city funds that pay their salaries are being spent in other cities. Further, where are you concerned most, the city where you live or the city where you work? When Escondido only has four patrol cars out at night wouldn't it make you feel safer to have a cop car parked in your neighborhood? This program is nothing more than a boondoggle. "The real question is" and Olga Diaz have it right, 119 of 135 speaks volumes.

esteban wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:20 AM:WWWWWWaaaahaahahahaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa anticops!!!! The cops deserve to drive their cars home. Stop bashing the cops because they "make too much". join the force then you morons and make the big bucks. What? Too dumb? Too scared? Oh well.

JR wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:35 AM:Estaban = Police Union Rep.

Bruce wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:44 AM:That's an ADDTIONAL $125K that can be given to non citizens for goodness sakes!
They should layoff two more officers and give that to the needy as well.......less law enforcement and MORE charity. There would be fewer criminals if we just gave them everything they normally steal.
Come on people, these are new times, we need new actions to adjust to them......

Bob wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:49 AM:Why not require all city employees to live in the city. The same with the two school districts. Put their kids in the same schools our kids have to attend. The city could certainly use the high wage earners that these individuals are to patronize the decent stores and restaurants they would attract. I'm all for the candidates that promise to enforce employee residency requirements.

Our company lets employees wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:51 AM:who live in Orange and Riverside county drive home company vehicles and we pay for their gas also. We HAVE to do that to get LEGAL contruction workers. Olga doesn't know what she is talking about, as usual.

youre stuck with it wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:09 AM:Fire the mayor. Where is she in all this? Typical liberal, sitting back so when poo hits the fan, she can say she had nothing to do with it...just like Pelosi and Reed with the financial disaster.

Mano wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:18 AM:Micromanagement is excessive control not oversite. Get it right.

Lloyd wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:04 PM:I agree with the part about micro managing. Or even public managing, which everyone in this forum is doing. Unless you understand the complexity of an issue then I would think that it is best left up to the person in charge; the chief of police. Tell him how much his budget is and let him decide how it is spent. Otherwise there is no need for a bunch of hens to debate but one line item of a budget.

To Lloyd wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:51 PM:The chief's expertise is law enforcement, not budgeting. Can he really defend a police car spending the night in Riverside County as a valid Escondido public safety measure? Can anyone?

newtimes wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:01 PM:All goverment spending needs to be examined. I'll agree that some officers need to have their cars at the ready. My problem is the ratio should be reversed, more like 20-25 at a time need to have their car at any time.

Billy Club wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:10 PM:It's time to stop rewarding incompetance in government.

DO NOT RE ELECT THE INCUMBANTS

VOTE NOV 4th for new blood.

HPST DAD wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:19 PM:Is it true that ALL City employees were given nice gas allowances?

OLGA has it right.Ask the hard questions.Even if you don't like the answers we all need to know the truth about what is going on in this city.
We pay the taxes here, as in,
OUR MONEY ,THE PEOPLES BUSINESS.
THE CITY COUNCIL IS ELECTED TO DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.
GO OLGA!! You have my vote!

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:35 PM:TO:Our company lets employees
[-] wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:51 AM:who live in Orange and Riverside county drive home company vehicles and we pay for their gas also. We HAVE to do that to get LEGAL contruction workers. Olga doesn't know what she is talking about, as usual.
___________________________________
response to Our Company...

DID YOUR COMPANY POST A DEFICIT OF
$ 9.8 MILLION DOLLARS for 2007 ?

shall I go on and list about 25 other money loosing moves by this council?
How long would the CFO of your company last if he mismanaged MILLIONS?

Elect Olga Diaz & Richard Barron
NOV 4 2008

Karl wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:24 PM:Pink Power Ranger @ 4:35 PM

I'll see your Olga and Richard and raise you Ed and Sam.

Semper fi wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:06 PM:I see you are all still at it. Solve it already and move on. She is just finding another thing to complain and whine about to get more publicity. These cops work hard and depending on where they are why not drive home and be responsible with the car.. Out of curiosity. Is there enough parking for all those cars if we decided to change? Well??? HEY NCT! Whats up? Nothing about anyone else yet?

wow wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:08 PM:Hey Voelker French!!! I agree with you let's start over.

To Karl Sam wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:21 PM:No thanks. You can keep your Ed and Sam! The city has already felt the deep negative affects when they gambled on these two 4 yrs ago.

Keep your Ed & Sam!

Now more than ever our city needs fiscally responsible council members - not ones that think $125,000 dollars is "miniscule". I wonder how Ed & Sam feel about Witt Lincoln-Mercury closing it's doors.

I'm going with a winning hand: Richard Barron & Olga Diaz!

To KARL wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:35 PM:Karl, you wrote: "while they may earn retirement pay before 20 years of service it isn't much. The retirement pay formula is weighted very heavily on years of service. It is also a taxpayers nightmare".

You are right! It IS a TAXPAYERS NIGHTMARE!! Why? Because a city employee can work for the city for let's say five years, retire at 60 and collect SOME RETIREMENT/PENSION benefits (on the taxpayers dime) for a mere five years of service.

Why do the taxpayers have to pay retirement benefits for any city employee that does not give the city 20 years? Why do I have to help pay for Jane Doe's retirement when she only served my city for five years? You say that the pay "isn't much" - but I say when you have multiple employees "retiring" each year - IT ADDS UP & QUICK!!

So..."Karl"...I think you owe the city of Escondido a BIG THANK YOU...because one day when your "wife" retires, the taxpayers will help you & yours retain your livelihood in retirement on our dime!

Give me a break! Not one dime to any city employee unless they give the city 20 years. PERIOD!! And people wonder why our economy is in the crapper!

Pink Power Ranger wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:23 PM:To, Karl 8:24pm
I don't play games with money or my family's future.If this election is a game to you...the voters are going to fold on your hand.

Goodbye Abed Gallo
gagabedgallo
VOTE DIAZ & BARRON NOV 4 2008

Brenda wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:40 PM:I enjoyed that big Olga Diaz sign the Firefighters had hanging off that ladder engine.I giggled my head off when it turned and I saw the
GALLO BAD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY sign.
A shear delight! APPLAUSE! BRAVO!
FIREFIGHTERS ROCK THE VOTE 2008 !

If I were Gallo I would be more concerned that thousands of people were walking on Grand Avenue today stumbling over broken decayed pavement.With pot holes so big they needed their own zipcodes.What about all the empty business fronts on Grand?Yeah, you really have a lot to be proud of Ed.(sarcastic)
Goodbye Abed Gallo
gagabedgallo

Googler wrote on Oct 21, 2008 5:05 PM:google it: gagabedgallo
the story behind the storytellers
I cannot believe that there are only 16 police officers that live in Escondido the other 119 live elsewhere. Not good. No wonder most of the crime happens at night - there are no cops to help mind the store. There is a cop that lives a few blocks from my house and when I drive by his block I always make sure I'm not speeding. The cop car parked on the street makes me make sure I am obeying the speed limit laws, ever the more. What is the city doing? Why don't these cops live in the city?

FireCrazy wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:15 PM:Hey nice job endorsing opposing candidates Fire Association. Did you have to make that obvious you care only about yourself. Maybe if you continue to use the public safety platform and bash Gallo the public won't figure out how stupid you are. And if the cops were illegal immigrants, Olga would support them driving anywhere, or just give them the car.

Concerned Citizen wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:45 PM:Okay, really....Olga states she has no problem with officers who live in Escondido driving their patrol cars home. Why? Because she supports her husband being able to drive his patrol car to and from work, duh!! It still costs money to fill that tank but is money Olga doesn't have to personally spend so she's okay with it. That's called personal'creative financing'.
To those of you who don't understand why police officers don't live in the city they work --- again, really? Would you want to run into someone you arrested and put in jail while you are out with your family? Don't think so.
Most importantly, how sad is it that Olga has supported a smear campaign and positioned our public safety departments against eachother.

Bjorn wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:47 PM:How many of you knuckleheads posting here live in the same city you work in?

So because I'm a cop I'm supposed to live in the city??

Maybe you missed the very valid point that someone brought up earlier; if I'm out confronting crooks and arresting the "bad people" in the city, if I can create an extra buffer of safety by not having to run into these same people when I'm grocery shopping with my kids, you can rest assured I will opt for that. So yeah, I'm not too hip on living where I'm arresting. Same reason you keep the trash can outside your house - if you don't have to smell it, why would you?

As for the ridiculous comments about us "being scared" and "look out your peep hole before you answer the door." Get real, sir, we go into harm's way each and every day to safeguard thousands of people who are complete strangers, and yes, that is our choice and nobody forced us into this career. We chose it for the honorable reasons and nothing less. And if you are the one making those comments, when was the last time you walked an alley at 3 in the morning to make sure someone you'll never meet could sleep soundly?

Or, I'll be more blunt; Until you put yourself in harm's way and take up a beat, stay warm under that blanket of security that other people have knit for you.

Todd wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:37 PM:EPD, i'll give you $1,000.00 a month for gas!! Bye Bye illegals, move to Vista or Oceanside. Come on Olga, stop the illegals moving to Escondido and i'll vote for you!

Police Endorsement wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:58 PM:Police Endorsements were dictated by a labor attorney for the POA. Fire endorsments were based on public safety needs of the community. Oh, and Fire endorsed Sam Abed too.

To Bjorn wrote on Oct 21, 2008 11:40 PM:Sure. Bjorn. Sure.

If you were so honorable in your duty - then you probably wouldn't have to worry so much! If you arrest a criminal and you do so with a degree of respect that the criminal is still a human being - then you probably wouldn't have to worry about him/her out in the stores.

Get real - the council is constantly pissing off people in the city and when is the last time they were rolled in the alley.

And who are these supposed people at 3am in the alley you are "trying to protect"?

Give us a break - just because you are cop doesn't make you a hero! You are a cop - who gets paid for his j-o-b.

Sorry you are too intimidated to live in the city. Sorry that the only thing you have to offer Escondido is your police enforcement!

119 police officers do not live in the city! That's just not right!!

As far as Olga's husband driving his patrol vehicle home - duh, people HE IS A LIEUTENANT and being a Lt. comes with certain priveleges.

Why don't you snap into a bit of reality and talk about the BUDGET and the economic downward spiral of the city! Why don't you talk about the $18.9 million going to a out-of-town developer?

Oh yeah. That's right - you don't give a crap because you don't live in Escondido. You only have your hand out every year looking for another raise! You can keep your protection for yourself - I personally don't WANT YOUR HELP!!! I'm not afraid to live in Escondido!!! And if I was a cop - I wouldn't be afraid! Bawk, bawk, bawk, bawk Bjorn!!!

Bull excuse wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:33 AM:Tons of cops live in the city they work. Unless you hang around the dump parts of the city every day you don't come in contact with bad guys that often, I know, I have been doing it for 27 years in O'side and have lived here for over 40 years. If you can't afford it or the city itself is a dump, Ok, but stop using "don't live because you work in the city" as the excuse for not living in the city you work in. If you are using this as an excuse you are basically saying you aren't doing your job by cleaning up crime.

Bjorn is right wrote on Oct 22, 2008 8:09 AM:And it only takes common sense to understand his points. "To Bjorn" is delusional to believe that all criminals need is some warm and fuzzy "respect." Watch some of those TV shows they film in prisons and you'll get an idea of what Bjorn has to deal with. Hey Bjorn, as a resident of Escondido I appreciate your service and I'm not alone.

esteban wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:35 AM:All anticops are idiots.

Concerned Citizen wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:26 AM:To the blogger who writes "To Bjorn":
I feel sorry for you that you are so out of touch with reality. I guess that's why you support Olga.

Kidding Me wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:39 AM:This is for the 'To Bjorn' blogger-----
So if you don't consider a cop a hero, assume you don't consider a fire fighter a hero, assume you don't consider our men and women fighting this war heroes.
I have no idea what cops, fire fighters, soldiers go through on a daily basis but I appreciate them and consider them heroes.

You are one of those people that only appreciates these people when you or your family need help. Sad.

To kidding me wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:59 PM:To kidding me from "to Bjorn": Your comments are a joke. Haven't you ever heard that line about "assuming"?

Don't assume to know who I consider a hero and do not. You do not have a clue! Go back and read my initial blog.

I'm sick of the "automatic pinning of the hero button" on police officers, fire fighters, school teachers, doctors, priests and such.

Reality tells us that there are many heros - and they are not identified as such by their title, but by their deeds!! Reality tells us that people from ALL Walks of life can be A-holes! And that includes COPS!!

So...sorry - I won't be pinning the Hero Button on "Bjorn" just because he is a COP!

It takes more than a title to be considered a HERO - Bjorn doesn't even want to live in the city, because he is afraid of running into a bad guy he arrested (maybe). That's not a hero!

The people in the military - without a doubt - HEROS!!!

Meter Reader wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:25 PM:Let's take a minute to look at this reasonably.
The decision to continue the "blur" on the mileage limit from within 10 miles of the City to 40 miles
( been to Temecula,Murrietta etc. & back is more than 40 miles a day) was made by the Police Cheif.He lives in Temecula.A true leader ,leads by example.DOH!
This "perk" has been blurred for decades.While the Councils were well aware of it.I've lived here 46 years and I was aware of the "perk", not the abuse of it.I am a taxpayer being lead to believe guidelines were being followed.The Council knew they were not.
Another point is the City MUST layoff some of it's staff.Before you touch a Cop or a Firefighter begin with the dead weight at City Hall.
No more raises,stipends or "perks"
Off every other Friday was to save energy in the 80's.Today we have another problem
MONEY...some employees have to go and the remainder has to pick up the slack.
Look at the current Retirement Plan.
Can we really pay everyone 75% of their salary when they retire?Plus hire new people and pay them too? IMPOSSIBLE!
Taxpayers...the burden of this is on YOU.WAKE UP....you don't need to say unkind things about our Police Force.We just need to stop wasting money on other things that are not necessary in these tough times.
Los Angeles offers a down payment program for their officers to keep them in the City they work in.There's an idea.New blood brings new ideas.This council has not had a good sound workable idea in 16 years.Yes Gallo is 8 years & Abed is 4 years...but this is their watch.Look around.City in ruins.They have shamed us all,nationally. $9.8 million budget deficit.It's only going to get worse.Let's not take this out on our police force...let's find a way to support them by cutting the phat in other departments. Gallo & Abed...
They have failed us all.
I will vote for Olga Diaz.Why,because she asks the hard questions.Even the ones that will affect her directly good or bad.That is someone who looks out for the good of all not just a few.We may not like the answers...but we can go from here for positive workable solutions.I will also vote for Richard Barron.Why? Because he comes across as someone who can lead us out of this mess with great business acumen.
Meter Reader times up Gallo & Abed!
p.s.EPD...YOU ROCK...let's find a solution to keep you all happy too.

Ears R Burning wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:36 PM:My ears are burning from the exaggerations!

I thought Abed said the city is safer!

If that is the case, then why do 119 cops live outside of the city? And why is Bjorn afraid to live in the city - he's afraid of running into criminals (he arrested) and he is afraid for his family. Here is a police officer who admits he prefers not to live in the city because of the criminal element.

I guess Abed exaggerated (again) when he said HE made the city safer.

Vote ABED OUT OF OFFICE! Do something you can feel good about - vote the incumbents out!

DOH wrote on Oct 23, 2008 4:54 PM:When a man running for office tells everyone Escondido is prospering.As Abed claims in his ads.
Why would you believe anything else he says?
Abed says Escondido is cleaner.It's a pig sty.

Look around Escondido.If you believe it's prospering.Fine re elect him.
If you see the truth here clearly you cannot re elect him or his sidekick Gallo.
The inCRUMBANTS say it's safer here.Well when you alter the facts changing what is a crime ,of course the numbers go down.When a cop says they won't live here because of the criminal element...it's not safe.Believe him he is not running for office.
I will always support my local police.
I will vote Barron & Diaz.
Fresh ideas cannot hurt.
Goodbye Abed Gallo

jerrylen wrote on Oct 23, 2008 5:32 PM:Just facts: Having over 80% of the police live outside Escondido is ludicrous. Abed/Gallo promised hi pay jobs. So they give hi-pay, fabulous benefits & unreal retirement to police who don't live here. Smart. Call police day or night. Most won't be there in 30 minutes; my experience more than once. How does it feel to know 80% of police live elsewhere & we have 2 firestations with no firemen? Abed/Gallo call $125K miniscule but take away less than $15k for a much-used pool seniors/handicapped/kids used for therapy. They took away the Xmas parade from our kids. Don't these cops owe US ANYTHING? THEY CAN'T WORK XMAS PARADE FREE, in return for all we provide. Average EPD cop makes over $70k plus fabulous bennies. Don't want to live here? Ok, move.

Bjorn wrote on Oct 23, 2008 7:17 PM:Get real. You still don't get the point that has been presented over and over. Living and working in the same city is utterly irrelevant. Like I said before, how many of you out there live in the same city you work in? All in all I would bet large sums of money that the VAST majority of you do not. If you are an accountant then you must not care about your firm and probably perform sub-standard work if you don't live in the same city as your office, right? And...given your retarded perspectives published here repeatedly, if you get operated on by a doctor, you better pray he or she lives in the same city as that hospital or your sunk, right?

I'm in a professional career, that I worked very hard to obtain my place in. As such, I did my homework and researched a great department that offered a great benefits package and I found it with Escondido PD. That said, you better believe I give this city and its citizens 110% of every second I'm here, it doesn't make a squat of difference that I don't happen to live in the city. Wherever you choose to live is where you choose to live, so does that have any bearing on how you'll perform your duties as a professional? Get a grip, folks.

It's pretty simple to see why the car issue alarms people; because it would be a loss of benefits previously held and absolutely factored into deciding to work here. Can you tell me that you wouldn't be ticked off if you came into work and learned that someone was trying to take a few hundred dollars out of your paycheck each month? Would you stand for that and shrug your shoulders and say, "Well, gosh....OKAY!" Of course not. Are we grateful for the benefit, of course we are. It is a provided benefit that is very gracious and appreciated. As it has been pointed out previously; we have patrol cars in our fleet that are ten years old because the officers take exceptional care of them. Research any other agency in the county and see if they are using vehicles that more than FIVE years old. Do the math and figure out which fleet spends more and gets beat up more. Would you be more inclined to take better care of your office when you are the only one using it, or would you say it would be better kept if three or more share it? It's common sense.

You've got men and women that would give up their lives for any one of you because it's their sworn duty...for you and your families. But all you can focus on is the complete SHAM that the police department does horrible work and none of the officers care or are grateful for what we have. That is utterly and completely ridiculous.

And since the argument is brought up about the empty firehouses, let's address that too. If you'd like to discuss "waste" then maybe you can defend the huge waste it is to send two trucks and six firemen to a medical call of an agitated seventy-four year-old woman where the firemen "stage" a block away while two police officers go there first to make sure the scene is "safe". Then, if it turns into an actual transport to the hospital, a different type of ambulance is probably going to be needed, bringing the total number of personnel on scene to....eight?! Tell me that's not "wasteful."

If you feel you need a refresher to see how hard the police department is working; with a growing population and reduced staffing, all the while REDUCING crime in the city with a dwindling budget, then read this NCT article. Or, you can not make the effort to educate yourself on the issue and continue to erroneously bash the police department to suit your ignorant ways - you know who you are.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/07/21/news/sandiego/z9c08ccdd96216c948825748d0061ea5f.txt

Not Aunt Bea wrote on Oct 24, 2008 12:52 AM:To:Bjorn
I myself support EPD and any other Police Officer out there.When I see Officers out in public I thank them for keeping me safe.They seem shocked.But it's what I do.I am sincere about it.

When I see politicians running for re election in a city that they have mismanaged & taken to the gutter,I am annoyed.I am annoyed when I see the Police Union endorsing those same politicians.I am annoyed when I learn that 119 of 155 Officers do not live here and cannot vote here.The Police Officers endorsement of these politicians is misleading to the general public. We are being lead to believe that ALL Escondido Police Officers approve these politicians.
You're supporting politicians that didnt support you.Then someone posted that an attorney for your union made the decision. Just too many excuses.When people change their stories.....you get the picture?
As for emergency calls by the Fire department.My neighbor was dying.Three seperate times they were called to help him.Each time one Para/EMT vehicle arrived.We have many older people in my neighborhood.Each time emergency is called...one vehicle shows up to transport them to the hospital I don't believe I am ignorant.I would much rather you have the gasoline.Your right you are the only thing between me and the criminal.But we have to find a way to make the City make the adjustments at City Hall (aka cut the fat)so we don't loose Police & Fire .So that you can keep the gas.We could stand to loose some of those people that never greet us when we enter city hall.They look at you as if you are bothering them for whatever it is you've come to ask for.Escondido just does not require over 1200 employees.
When I see that some of the highest paid positions at the City are held by people that don't even live here...that annoys me too.
Do I expect that my police & fire people live here?YES.
first responders?YES.
the Chief? YES.
Call me stupid but I don't live in Mayberry.My name isn't Aunt Bea.
I know when I am being manipulated by politicians.And so should you & your union.In the future you all should elect a union rep that is fair and straight with you all.Not one that is being lead around by the politicians.
Bjorn I do not believe that the majority of Escondido residents think EPD is doing a bad job.On the contrary.
Many have said right here EPD ROCKS.
I second that and I thank each and everyone of you for your service.

Hey Bjorn wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:17 AM:Keep bashing the firefighters. What a waste, I agree. Except it's not the personnel working at those incidents who make the decisions are they. Isn't that the decision of the Fire chief. Just to show that I'm not biased by the Fire Dept, Aunt Bea, Bjorn is right. There are sometimes 2 ambulances called for a 911 call. The reason for that is because there are only 3 paramedic ambulances covering the entire city of Escondido. If you read the paper, I'm sure you read the story about 40% of the people who use the emergeny room don't really need to go there. In San Diego county, if you call 911 and want to go to the emergency room, the ambulance has to ,by law, take you. If you do not require the services of the paramedics, they bring in a first aid ambulance to transport you. That frees up the paramedics to run life threatning calls.

Not Aunt Bea wrote on Oct 24, 2008 3:46 PM:Hey poster at 11:17 AM
Why bash the Police or the Firefighters.
They've done nothing wrong.

They are not running for office.
They are not politicians.
If you want the laws changed contact your senators,congress & your legislators.Go where the power is.Let's not waste anymore local tax money on trying to enforce where you have no power...like the city council has done.
Remember the Rental ban fiasco?Parking ban fiasco? Been there done that , have you learned nothing?
When you are the one in need, you won't care how many cops/emts/paras/or firefighters come to help save your arse.When they get you to the emergency room they take you according to your need.Heart attack goes to top of the list..etc.You are not fooling anyone your just attempting to manipulate Bjorn.
I believe Bjorn is smarter than that.

MataHari wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:01 PM:Question:
If I am a City Council Member and I look the other way while City Employees take advatage of a "perk" they are not eligible for ... is that buying votes?

S0ME IDI0T wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:16 PM:It is disturbing to me to see our Fire Department & Police Department at odds over Politicians.
POLITICIANS manipulate everything to get your vote.
EPD & EFD you know the truth regarding the safety in this city.As a law abiding taxpaying citizen I expect you to vote accordingly.This Council puts you all at risk when there are not enough of you.When you do not have adaquate equiptment.We do not want you at risk.Please take the time to vote as if it meant your life.That's how I vote,I think it may cost a life if I do not vote correctly.

I voted today for Richard Barron
and Olga Diaz.

To Bjorn wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:41 PM:Bjorn - you can't seem to get the point!

Sure many people work outside of the city they live in. No news there!

Point:

You are an Escondido Police Officer who takes one of our cop cars home and gets paid to do so - on the Escondido TAXPAYER'S dime. My spouse works outside the city and does not get a company car - and therefore no taxpayer monies are being used for that "perk". And even if my spouse got a company car - it would be a car from the private industry - NOT THE PUBLIC industry (like YOU).

Point: You live in another city and therefore all the money (you are paid by the taxpayers) goes into the pocket of the city in which you live.

Point: You said you researched PD's and benefits and such - and you appreciated EPD's pay/benefits package!

That speaks VOLUMES: The MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR YOU BEING A COP IN ESCONDIDO IS...THE MONEY!!!

You are in it for the money and the perks. Don't try to play like you care for Escondido. (Probably as much as my spouse "cares" about the city my spouse works in).

Also, one does not have to be a cop to be ready and willing and self-lessly "give up" their lives to protect someone in danger. There you go again, thinking cop and hero are automatically synonymous.

Buck up Bjorn - the taxpaying citizens of Escondido are sick and tired of getting the short end of the stick! Time for the citizens to whip the city into shape - hold the big heads accountable! Because of you, Bjorn, I will work especially hard to continuously let the council know that police officers should live in our city - and THEN and only then (higher ranking exempted) can they take their police car home!!!

Also...because of you Bjorn - I will strive even moreso to conduct my shopping outside of the city limits! I'm not going to give my hard earned money to a city that only cares about its employees - my money is your future retirement benefits!

P.s. While you are bragging...you may also want to find the NCT story that talks about Escondido having the highest number of CAR THEFTS in the county!

Not Aunt Bea wrote on Oct 24, 2008 6:42 PM:Are the Firefighters getting the free gas "perk" ?

Re Not Aunt Bea wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:48 PM:Some are. Chiefs who do not live in the city. I believe the current Chief.

H R wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:08 PM:Fire Chief $152,628.80 annual salary.
So when the current Fire Chief retires we have to pay him 75% of his current salary? $114,471. annually.Plus his other retirement benefits.....
did I just faint or become enraged?
We also have to pay his successor!
Who is the "genius" that dumped this burden on the taxpayers of Escondido?
I want a name!!!!!!!!!!!

Cotton Ballz wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:16 PM:1207 City Employees
610 residents
597 NON RESIDENTS

Okay now we need to know how many are related.Can you say nepotism is practiced at City Hall? It's been rumored for years.So let's go there.
Who knows?
I'm beginning to think the 'tude at City Hall is get all you can now...fleece the taxpayers.Who cares we don't live here!You think they want to make sure their families are set while they run this town in the gutter,broke and blighted?Would I be surprised? Nope.
Just sickened and outraged.

Cotton Ballz wrote on Oct 25, 2008 1:27 PM:hey H R
Good one!
Maybe someone at NCTimes has that info our....can do a story about it.

Nothing like shaking out the carpets at City Hall!

You go H R !

Air Head wrote on Oct 25, 2008 1:37 PM:How many city employees indulge in the free gas "perk"? anybody?
How many years has this been going on?
Who is supposed to be watching the hen's and their eggs?

Do they all buy their "perked" gas from Sam Abed? Is there a city "perk" pump in Escondido? Who supplies it?

I'm just itchin to know!

No answer or the wrong answer may sway my vote...ummm.

TO H R wrote on Oct 25, 2008 1:41 PM:H R
That's what this guy gets to MANAGE
the CITY.....into the gutter.

You want more of this?
Get rid of the Council and the other dead weight.
VOTE 2 out Nov 4th
VOTE the others out 2010.
We can appoint better Managers etc.

DO NOT VOTE FOR AN INCUMBANT

Wife of EPD officer wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:49 PM:I think anyone that suggests that police officers must live in the city they work in is ridiculous. I don't want to be out with my family having dinner or playing at the park and worry about some dirt bag my husband has arrested harassing us. Having a take home car is definitely a nice perk. Maybe if the streets of Escondido weren't crawling with illegals sucking out all it's resources the city wouldn't be in the situation it is in.