Urging the Administration to do everything possible to avoid laying off Philadelphia Police officers.

WHEREAS, The Administration has indicated a possible forced reduction in the city's workforce by 1300 individuals through layoffs and attrition in order to keep the city's budget balanced; and

WHEREAS, These layoffs could occur immediately with the termination of approximately 150 employees in the near future; and

WHEREAS, Our police force, which serves our citizens diligently and with honor, could suffer a loss of personnel; and

WHEREAS, We are experiencing an increase in crime in our schools and neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, A cut in police personnel could severely affect our ability to deal with neighborhood and school crime; and

WHEREAS, The quality of life in our city could be severely affected; and

WHEREAS, The tourist and commercial clientele could be negatively affected if citizens and visitors feel unable to visit many of the attractions our city offers; and

WHEREAS, We nonetheless accept that it is the responsibility of City Council to work with the Administration to find other opportunities to reduce costs and preserve the budget; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That we hereby urge the Administration to do everything possible to avoid laying off Philadelphia Police officers.

End