San Jose To Lay Off Officers As Murder Rate Climbs
SAN JOSE (KCBS) -- A salary agreement was reached between the city of San Jose and its police officers for the next fiscal year.
San Jose's city manager announced that the police officers' union has agreed to a ten percent pay reduction during the next fiscal year, which will save an estimated 156 officer jobs. But despite these concessions, city officials say they need to cut another 122 officers.
KCBS' Betsy Gebhart Reports:
As the council members talk about cutting officers, San Jose's murder rate is climbing. It has reached 27 this year, already surpassing the number of murders in all of 2010, which was 20.
Given these numbers, Councilman Pete Constant proposed cutting libraries and arts programs to bring back 25 officer jobs.
The council members are trying to balance a budget that has a $150 million deficit.
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