We already have, what? 129 City-owned cops in Wauwatosa. There is no such thing as police protection, only police mop-up after spills. I can protect myself.

any more tax increases you will see more and more people moving out of here. especially out of milwaukee county. I cant afford our taxes going up. It is bad that we are already getting screwed from the school on our district.

No, I would consider increases for education and infrastructure.

Living in Menomonee Falls, our police-citizen ratio is absurdly high as it is. Milwaukee on the other hand should employ the national guard if they ever want to get serious with their hood rats.

The question assumes the only way to have more police officers is to raise taxes. You can also increase police officers without raising taxes by cutting other services.
There are 94 officers in the Wauwatosa Police department (http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/police-department-to-lose-two-employees-4p6t0vj-170339176.html). According to the FBI we need 92-93, we we are right on target.

Living in Menomonee Falls it would mean more harassment by the cops on law abiding citizens I know I was nearly arrested for catching kids throwing stones at my house and the cop took the kids side, must have disturbed him having his donuts. Might have to open a coffee shop in the area if they increase the cops.

Brookfield seems to have a sufficient number of police...IMHO.

No.

it's kinda like being a little bit pregnant

Police and fire are the only true government rolls. If you want that increased cut something else. We have fat in government all over. Don't just make it larger.

To add to my post, If we had to hire more city workers, I'd take an arborist or sanitation worker over a cop every day and twice on Sunday, which it is, making it bonus arborist and/or sanitation worker day.

Depends on where you live if there are enough police and how the demographics change. For now I believe there are enough cops where I live. However in a few years at the expansion trend and the slide into Mil-Waukesha more cops may be required.

What is the current police/population ratio in each of the North Shore communities? And their related crime statistics? Can we see a cost benefit analysis for any proposal to change the ratio?

The NSFD is reducing staffing by two people and removing 1 fire engine and 1 ambulance from service. I'd like to see how this change works. It might give some insight into their ability to make an accurate assessment, before we consider any changes in police coverage.

No. The new Walmart and restaurants going in should more than cover what's needed for a couple of officers with the taxes that the village claims they are going to be bringing here. The taxes should actually be covering everything from police and fire, to sanitation. We shouldn't be seeing any tax increases.

The Chief in Caledonia wants to increase based on FBI recommendations, but fails to cite a single instance where we were short officers. If he could, I might support an increase, but my supposition is he cannot.

In Greendale with the upgrade of Southridge, addition of Macy's, Walmart, Berkshire and several restaurants and a shoe store and the recent sale of Harbour Village at a significantly larger price than its valuation we should be able to add police and lower taxes

After reading that the man having sex in bathroom at Salty Toad was taken to jail for a joint in his pocket, I would definately say no to more police. It would be different if they concentrated on real crime instead of wasting taxpayer money on jailing harmless citizens who pose no risk to the public

Kill the bus routes through Tosa and you could drop a third of the police force. Done, and done.

Maybe if Walker would have made them pay toward their benefits package the taxpayer wouldn't have to pay more!

A cop's job is to collect revenue for the state and or community...that's all.

There is RARELY a squad patroling in my neighborhood, being right on the border of Greenfield and Milwaukee. We are supposed to alternate parking on the road as to the date. I park on the same side of the road every night and get 1 ticket a year max. When an officer did come down the street one day, I "faked" the clutch the chest heart attack move. He asked out the window if I was ok. I said yes, just in shock to see a squad. He then stated they patrol every street every day. I said he was full of @#$%. He had nothing to say when I brought up the fact that when visiting a friend on 34th and Vogel neighborhood, 7 squads drove through in a 15 minute period. Now I know where all the cops live!!!!

Police and Fire are usually over 60% of a community's budget...with act 10, police and fire still have unions and do not have to pay in to there benefits like all the other public employees and teachers. Budgets are bad in every community and until public safety helps pay in, things will continue to be bad! I just think it's funny that police departments are being told they need to cut their department, then they go out to the public media and threaten that your "protection" will be lost unless we raise taxes! What about the other departments that are being told to cut their budgets? I don't see them going out to the public scaring people, telling them that their garbage won't get picked up or the streets won't get plowed.

Absolutely, since we have so many free loaders causing the most use of Police response time after time. Police activity is mostly negative on attittudes but it is the whole of the public that requests that speed limits be enforced or other traffic violations. Police go to your calls of Domestic Abuse and arrest when required by law on your whacked relationships. They respond to calls of humans with guns, knives, and other good hurty stuff and re-establish control. Its like the military, you sleep well under their watch.
You cry when the scum bag dies under their care because they erred but do not care if they caught the robber or murderer, pedophile, because they are somehow considered HUMAN.
Errors are made when staffing is low and Police attempt to fulfill their clients call for help quickly.
They get a automotive wages but are also expected to make million dollar liability decision on your life and civil rights.
Some of you whining, got nabbed, too bad, be more careful and obey. perhaps you all should be required to deal with suicides, murder, injuries, car wrecks, human abuse and filth, then say HEY THAT STAFFING IS GOOD.
Me, I'll pay to have security over paying for freeloaders which many of you are!

I live in Oak Creek. I respect our officers and the job they do - but we do not need more. People joke that between our way too big police station and number of officers Oak Creek is a police state!

Staffing appears adequate here in Brookfield. I base this on frequent monitoring of fire and police radio traffic. Occasionally a minor request for service has to wait. And requesting mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions is very minimal unless its a major incident. On the other hand, I'm represented by the law firm of Glock and Mossberg!

Lowering the drinking age to 19 would free up officers in Shorewood and I'm guessing other places too. Remove the police liaison officer from SHS. The police station is 2 blocks from the school. I've never understood why she needs an office at the school or why full time police presence is necessary.

HELL NO!!!

If they have time to sit on the highway and radar for speeders, then they apparently already have plenty of police to adequately 'protect' us from evil doers and law breakers!

You know what lex I agree kill the bus routes through tosa. In fact I say we take a pick axe to the roads that connect tosa to milwaukee. Then we remove the water connections and the power lines. Only then will you be truly safe from us heathens here in milwaukee.Then once you are your own little island no crimes will ever occur in your fantasy land. Cause the only crime that occurs in tosa comes from Milwaukee. Moron

Government at all levels seem to waste millions on unnecessary things like investing in failed hotels, and odd things of that nature. Cut the ridiculous spending, and use that money for the services that actually serve the citizens.

We have enough cops, I agree, and too many supervisors.

Police have no duty to protect you.

DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services (109 S.Ct. 998, 1989; 489 U.S. 189 (1989))
Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Department (901 F.2d 696 9th Cir. 1990
Zinermon v. Burch (110 S.Ct. 975, 984 1990; 494 U.S. 113 (1990)
Warren v. District of Columbia, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. Ct. of Ap., 1981)
Riss v. New York, 240 N.E.2d 860 (N.Y.1968).
Hartzler v. City of San Jose, 46 Cal. App. 3d 6 (1st Dist. 1975)
South v. Maryland
Bowers v. Devito
Davidson v. City of Westminster 28281
Westbrooks v. State of California

Heck with more cops.. enough of the sheriff's are useless with milking the system or just got an ego with speeders. They need to get rid of some and the ones who whine about the union junk. They should use the money to get the construction done, just a waste working on bridges that the government said needed to be fixed when Nothing was wrong with them. Just like in the movie "Falling Down" What is wrong with the streets!!! "Nothing"... State Patrol is no better they think just because they can go anywhere they own the road. We need to have more bounty hunters (dont get why it isnt legal here - least get some action done and not delay) or have a task force to get the losers who are stealing gas or from walmart/kohls and show them pay for it now or regret it! :)

In a word -- yes. You get what you pay for, and when you need a police officer you need one now, not in two hours.

Why would caledonia need more cops?? They've already got the sheriffs department and state troopers patrolling the area, too. Absolutely ridiculous.

Milwaukee has TWICE the number recommended by the FBI and take a look at the crime statistics. Obviously, having more police does NOTHING to stop crime. If you gave the Caledonia Chief two more cops, next year he will swear he needs two MORE and the same the next year. Lots of us are asked to do more on our job so I'm sure the police can do this as well.

I'd spend more more to get MMSD to stop dumping human waste in Lake Michigan!

Absolutely NO! I live in Port Washington and the police here are so bored they feel the need to bust anybody for any small thing...they hand out parking tickets like candy.

Police don't create the laws...they enforce the laws that citizens and the officials citizens vote for want. So I'm hearing there are too many cops but then I hear they don't patrol your neighborhood. A handful of officers for tens of thousands of citizens plus the hundreds of thousands of citizens working and traveling through your city daily. If you don't like the response time and the amount of time your neighborhood is patrolled then pay more in taxes or even better force your elected officials to stop wasting money for ridiculous studies and other unnecessary areas so it can be moved to providing a safe community for you and your family.

No one knows this because police are the only ones who did not strike and protest but police and fire are NOT exempt from Act 10. The night before Walker signed Act 10 the wording was changed which states protective employees can not negotiate health insurance. Almost all police departments are now paying into their pensions, took paycuts, and pay much more towards healthcare. You don't know this because police feel they have a calling towards serving their community and risking their lives so the public doesn't have to worry about such things.

Haha this is quite commical to read. Im sure that once you need a police officer because somethig went wrong or you are hurt but have to wait because they are tied up with another call your tunes will change. Caledonia yes does not have as many people as other jurisdictions but they have alot more area they need to cover and fly to. People complain they dont catch those with traffic violations well when a person has to cover as much as they do its no wonder. Its getting rather old listening to those people that suddenly become experts on everything and have to stick their noses were they dont belong. It is also extremely rude to sit and say that all they do it eat donuts. Hello were is there a donut shop in Caledonia? Except gas stations and those are nasty. The police are doing their job to keep you safe. If you honestly think your smith and weston and remingtons will ke ep you safe.....in the short time yes but hello jail time and fines. So you can say what you want and bash them as much as you want but in the end who is going to put their life on the line to protect you and your family?

Tears of a Cop
I have been where you fear to be.
I have seen what you fear to see.
I have done what you fear to do.
All these things I've done for you.

I am the one you lean upon.
The one you cast your scorn upon.
The one you bring your troubles to.
All these people I've been for you

The one you ask to stand apart.
The one you feel should have no heart.
The one you call the officer in blue.
But I am human, just like you.

And through the years I've come to see
That I am not what you ask of me
So take this badge and take this gun
Will you take it?
Will anyone?
And when you watch a person die
And hear a battered baby cry.
Then you think that you can be
All those things you ask of me?

--Unknown Author

I live near on the West side of Milwaukee. There is a substation on 21st & Wells, And yet it is nigh unto impossible to get a quick police response. This area is in the 3rd Milwaukee police district. I have called there and the phone has rung for so long a time I thought it would melt, and yet nobody answered at the district. We have bicycle cops around here. Do you think that even one of them will acknowledge home owners or residents of this neighborhood? They ignore us like dirt! This area has more than its' share of gang members, drug houses, and all sorts of violence. Can we get the police to do anything about it? The answer is blowing in the wind and it is NO. So . . . I say not a penny more to a bummed-up police department and lousy chief. If they can't work for what they are paid then go get a job digging ditches or something else, but don't pretend to be protecting the public, for whom you work. Taxes are out of sight now. Where does that money go? Government agencies are always crying for more money, more revenue, and the more they get the less we get in return. Fewer services, slower responses, or no response. But, by golly, find a dead body and the whole department crawls out of the woodwork. More cops only means a larger more powerful police state. Cops are on the bottom of the "just-us" totem pole. The whole system is a big corrupt business. Giving them more money is only paying off blackmail. I call it extortion on a grand scale.

To those in Tosa: As Tosa Parent of Four pointed out early in this thread, the Wauwatosa PD is almost exactly in line with the FBI recommended ratio now, and is accepting a reduction of two positions in next year's budget. This story was posted in all Patches to get a regional reaction, but Wauwatosa's situation is different that Caledonia's, or, for that matter, any other individual municipalitie's.

I would be willing to go halves with Mayfair for one more "Mayfair only" cop.

As always happens aldermen, etc. threaten public safety first. Why not cut the fat projects first? There are plenty of those. Oh I know the goes to thier buddies.

In Shorewood...NO WAY! We already pay waayyy too much for what we are receiving.

No, no, and NO!

Oak Creek has more cops than the recommended 2 per thousand. We have a couple of expensive to buy and maintain drug dogs, and an expensive Swat team. Our city employee costs surpass the total property tax revenues. OC Police get a big chunk of the 2.25 million dollars directly from We Energies Mitigation Funding that was supposed to protect the health and safety of residents from the chemical fall out which the city fathers failed to do. A new hire starts out at apx. 49,000 per year salary but jumps to roughly 58,000 with all the benefits. What other 2 year grads make this kind of income on the taxpayers back? A pretty gravy salary for the work load. Do we really need an officer or two at all elderly fall and EMT calls? Do we really need two officers accompanying the Milwaukee Domestic Animal Rescue Control Unit? I saw two police vehicles one with the officer sitting in it the other and the MAADC van were empty Saturday at the North Brooke Subdivision. Probably in response to someone having too many pets. We don't need any more officers, we don't need a swat team and we don't need cops as we have in the schools. Police work in the burbs today is generally quite a leisurely job and we certainly don't need to pay them these inflated salaries and benefits that exceed the mean incomes of the residents. There are plenty of QUALIFIED applicants that would start and stay for less.

Police departments have started making many non sworn positions part time and the end result is unqualified employees that end up being terminated. For one officer position, hundreds of applications are submitted but half of the people hired are terminated. The qualified applicants for public and private sector jobs are extremely poor. If everyone thinks its an easy job they can attempt to succeed at it. I find it amazing that an OC resident would state they don't need a SWAT team. I think the world would agree one is needed after the mass shooting. Are people aware that many police departments fund their K-9 units fully from donations and fundraisers? When I see WE energies employees staring at power lines or a taxi driver parked along the curb I have never assumed I knew what they were doing or why they were doing it. I suggest any citizen that assumes they know how police work is run go through a police citizens academy. You will be shocked that only 10% of violent, disgusting, and inhumane crimes ever make it to the public.

Police are usually not present when a threatening situation arises.(no fault of the police, just a fact.) Good citizens must protect themselves and there families. We do not need more police. We just need better trained citizens.

Please correct me, but was not Gov. Walker s exemption for the police to keep their unions based, in part, on the police political support ? there is no reasonable explanation for the police to have a union. they have police powers now.

Mitchell I would ask you to consider how many life threatening situations the average person will ever experience and how many a police officer will. Even if its after the crime police end up making arrests which often times lead to physical altercations and assaults. Any other occupation allows the time and opportunity for protection even against diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, etc but police rarely have that luxury.

A police officer will never be rich. When the economy is good there are no bonuses like the private sector. It is a comfortable secure position but no chance of working up the ladder to own a company or be a head business executive. But there is the fact of being a target only for wearing a badge to protect, when everyone else runs away, police are expected to go towards danger, work holidays, weekends, work long hours, be ridiculed by one person and the next day be expected to risk their life for that same person with a smile, never see their family and children growing up, have an 80% chance of divorce, put themself at risk of being personally sued and criminally charged, have someone die in your arms, make friends with a child molester to obtain a confession, and the list goes on. But yet police don't strike, they don't protest, and they don't complain. Not all municipalities are even close to the FBI suggestions so this survey won't apply to all but there is no need to disgrace the police either. The average police officer only lives a small number of years after retirement due to the toll the stress takes on the human body. I know I don't want my taxes going up so I would ask where can the wasteful money come from to pay for this needed service. Ever ask yourself why part time alderpersons, common council, mayors, etc get luxurious pay and benefits? Or why there are even full time mayors in Milw County except for the City of Milwaukee?

If you're asking was there some type of agreement between Gov Walker and police unions then the answer is no which is proven by Walker NOT fully exempting police. There are still police unions who have historically not had the track record of other unions. Because police can not negotiate healthcare it does take away negotiating for other things as well. One other thing people need to realize is how the negotiations work between municipalities and unions. The union asks for a certain contract while the municipality proposes a contract. If an agreement is not made then an impartial arbitrator chooses one based partly on the municipality's financial status to make sure a fair affordable contract is chosen. So either municipality's financial status is not accurately shown or the bigger issue is the municipality agreeing to these contracts if they truly did cause financial hardship.

@Patch: Wouldn't a better question be "is more police protection needed, based upon FBI recommendations?"

Really, is there a crime problem in Caledonia? My instinct says no, but what are the facts?

What a dumb question for an article. Badge unions are exempt from ACT 10. Your local government will provide whatever proportion of your tax levy they demand or face signicant legal costs to fight their contract. They likely eat up around one half of your local tax bill. Too bad your trash colection, libraries, street repairs, etc. have to suffer, They don't care. They, not you, are in control of your propery tax. Just love that exemption you voted for, right?

And like I said that is a question each municipality will have to ask. Some are fully staffed while others are far below the FBI suggestions. But of course you can not just go off of the suggestions. If a city is all businesses does that mean no police are needed although businesses bring in thousands of people daily. And to $$and sense, did you read any of my comments stating protective services are NOT fully exempt? Gov Walker said they would be but then changed the wording prior to signing Act 10. Why has no one actually read Act 10 to know that?

Would I pay more for protection if crime increased.
Unfortunatly the reality is yes, why because the judicial system sucks. Slap on the wrist for most offenses rape 3 years depending on the judge touch a kid probation and stay a away from a school yard.
Hang and castrate them. Are the police really at fault here? No its our messed up system that puts these scum bags back on the street to strike fear into our elderly making them stay in there houses. You want to eliminate money for police. Here you go. Death penalty offenses Rape, phedophile, drug dealer, assualt of an elderly person. Eliminate the problem.

PERHAPS WEEDING OUT THE POOR PERFORMERS HIDING BEHIND SENIORITY SCAMS AND MAKE ALL FINES PAYABLE TO THE STATE RATHER THAN THE CITY KANGAROO COURTS WOULD BE A GOOD START.

The Donny Show supports NO NEW TAXES. Period. End of story.

Would more Police Officers Prevent Crime? I think the answer is no. What would be the benefit to more police officers per citizen? Police State control when the cow-pie hits the fan? Or is it to lower the unemployment rate? Maybe if we enacted the ultimate penalty more, crime would go down? You read about criminals running their gangs, drug rings etc. out of prison all the time. Where is our Justice? Who are they really protecting?

Well since officers on patrol do detect crime then more officers would result in more crimes in progress being detected. With more officers available, the response time to crimes in progress would be faster resulting in more criminals being caught. If you live in a municipality where the police are fully staffed then I'm by no means saying I think taxes should be increased to just keep hiring more but yes more officers would in theory have a benefit. Just probably not enough to just keep adding more and more.

And to Dick Steinberg...I do agree that police are often times tasked with nonpolice functions which unfortunately results in officers not being available when citizens call and really need an officer. Officers are tasked with many responsibilities....not just what is typically thought of police.

Menomonee Falls has an adequate police presence. If they have to respond to the mess that G-town has left North of 'Q' maybe not. Maybe the village will have to hire a separate force to cover the 'Big Lot' bulls't.

I have to agree with Ray Ray Johnson who posted: "just more likely to have 8 cops show up to shake you down for your parking violation?" or as I see it, more officers showing up after the crime has taken place. If police actually patrolled neighborhoods in unmarked unassuming vehicles at the peak crime hours, maybe it would be worth it. More often, all I see are two cars parked and officers talking to one another, while they monitor rush hour traffic. Rarely do I see them take off after someone. They also like to hang out at the local Fire Station, often see them parked there too.

Just want to make sure I am in the right thread. Is this the thread where everyone with a petty grievance against a police officer or department can post some snarky comment about parking tickets or doughnuts?

This article is just ridiculous...why would anyone agree to pay more in taxes? No matter what it's for! As evidenced by the previous 100 or so comments...it has just turned into a place where every slug who has something against police can vent. The only people who hate police are those that have broken the law. Period!!

Why don't you go ask the mother of a 4 month old that was choking and was saved by POLICE if she hates them? Or go ask the 23y/o victim of a rape where the suspect was caught just down the road if she hates them. Or the victim of a burglary who can't sleep at night and now the POLICE stop by EVERY night and check up on her and the kids, ask her if they hate the police. Or keep thinking that police are just "ticket writers" and "shake down" everyone, because maybe next time they will let that speeder go only to have it cause an accident involving someone you know. Or maybe they will let the "harmless" kid smoking pot go only to see him/her selling pot on the street.

Those of you bad mouthing cops have no idea what a Police officer does! Until you've walked in their shoes, keep bad mouthing them, cause the next time you need them, they will be there for you just like they were there for me!!

That's great that people want to defend themselves and everyone should be prepared for that but you just listed a handful of cases while I can give thousands of cases where police saved people's lives. Of course police can't be everywhere but having more police officers can allow them to be in more places than they could've before. Defend yourself of course and when you're done you will still call the police to process evidence and obtain statements according to the laws to allow that evidence to be used in court to prove you acted in self defense.

Nothing if the police find evidence you acted in self defense. Then there is no reason charges ever get issued. The only way to make sure you don't have to defend yourself in court would be choosing not to defend yourself but instead call the police. Not always an option but often times it is. By all means defend yourself but that's a choice you have to make if you're concerned about attorney costs.