Falls Church in danger? Chief warns of critical shortages

[Anonymous]

https://www.fcnp.com/2021/11/24/police-chief-gavin-warns-council-of-shortages/

This small department averages 2 retirement/ departures per year, but recently it jumped to 7 or more.

All this - while crime is skyrocketing.

Is this the result of defund the police?

[Anonymous]

They need to pay people as much or more than surrounding jurisdictions. It has nothing to do with defunding the police.

I used to work for a municipal gov't that literally bought the police department a hovercraft, segways, ATVs, and boats. We used collected tax revenue to buy a police hovercraft that could've been used for a million better purposes. I think that's what people mean when they say "defund" the police.

[Anonymous]

The problem facing Falls Church is happening in other jurisdictions as well.

Fairfax has had 2 years of no step or longevity pay increases.
A small 1% raise was budgeted last year for county employees (to include first responders). Fairfax County Public Schools employees got a 2% raise.

Meanwhile, the cost of benefits for most county employees went up substantially. Well in excess of the 1% raise.

Lots of out the door movement with Fairfax police/fire/sheriffs now, as employees are either retiring, leaving for a better work environment or (primarily) for more money elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

DC is also facing a massive police shortage.

Since June 2020, more than 386 MPD officers have left the force. Of those, nearly half (47%) - resigned. They did not retire. The city enacted 2 bills to defund / “reform” the police, and the union cites those bills are major drivers in the resignations.

Baltimore’s situation is even more dire, with the governor now having to divert the Highway Patrol to the streets of Baltimore city to fight a crime epidemic.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, don’t care. Even if half the cops quit, we’d still have too many police. I’ve loved many years in various European countries and the number of police there vs here is shocking. In Prague it would sometimes be weeks between seeing a constable. Same for many cities in France. We’re the only “modern” society that seems to require police presence everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, don’t care. Even if half the cops quit, we’d still have too many police. I’ve loved many years in various European countries and the number of police there vs here is shocking. In Prague it would sometimes be weeks between seeing a constable. Same for many cities in France. We’re the only “modern” society that seems to require police presence everywhere.

You are living in a fool’s paradise if you think we’d still have too many officers if half of them quit

[Anonymous]

Can you please share more info on the crime spree that has recently hit Falls Church City?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you please share more info on the crime spree that has recently hit Falls Church City?

I’m wondering about this too.

[Anonymous]

You do realize that no one actually defunded the police, right? COVID was the largest cause of on-duty death by police in 2020, and likely to be the case in 2021 as well. Lots of older cops retired at once due to COVID concerns, same as in other industries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, don’t care. Even if half the cops quit, we’d still have too many police. I’ve loved many years in various European countries and the number of police there vs here is shocking. In Prague it would sometimes be weeks between seeing a constable. Same for many cities in France. We’re the only “modern” society that seems to require police presence everywhere.

European countries are a lot more homogeneous than the US. The ratios you’re talking about are probably the same in the “flyover” states because police just aren’t needed as much there.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the FCC police have defunded themselves. I doubt too many residents will notice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you please share more info on the crime spree that has recently hit Falls Church City?

I’m wondering about this too.

LOL come on now. The most exciting thing on the ring discussion board was a kid arsonist lighting American flags on fire. Falls Church is pretty boring crime-wise.

[Anonymous]

Defund Police. Use that money for social services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Defund Police. Use that money for social services.

In time, I expect there to be armed-citizens patrols, which [*sarcasm on*] seems safer than professionally-trained police officers. Can’t bring guns on government property in FCC though, so your on your own there.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think we even need armed patrols. Just encourage citizens to get training and carry if they feel the need.