This is a joke; how do we change things?

They don't necessarily have to lay off more cops, just cut back their salaries. It happens everyday in the private sector.

Of course they scare us with taking away the DARE program and bus safety. They are so good at hitting the people of this town where it hurts. More scare tactics from Krookzun and his band of misfits.

That's where it hurts? Dare and bus safety? Your blind. How about crime. And FYI, look around at the other town. All surrounding TOWNS police are paid more. Maybe the person in charge of the budget is at fault. Hmmm.

I think you should look into more layoffs elsewhere - like twp. office employees or cut back hours.

I think that general public need to wake up and accept reality. We all appreciate the cops and what they do, but they have been a big part in this problem. If the township did not have to pay the astronomical salaries that these officers make, you the citizen wouldn't have to suffer. I do understand that at times the job may be dangerous and difficult, but I served with the military in Iraq and made nothing compareable to these police officers salaries. Year after year, the police and their unions have fought for higher wages, and this is where we are now at. Fewer cops, with remaining high salaries, and less services. The area will continue to see low growth and decreased industry, and administrators and the public need to realize this. I believe that the Governor is right and that these townships and small municipalities are going to need to start combining services to save the public the burden of higher taxes and decreased services.

State Lawmakers knew the issue of less funding to the municipalities was coming and made recommendations for combined services to local officals, but municipalities have made little or taken no action on that idea, to lessen the financial contraints on its citizens. The resistance to not combine services will come from your local officeholders, that are supposed to, but do not have you the citizens best interest in mind... Unless combined services begin to occur and your local officeholders accept this fact, you the citizen will only continue to suffer...

Riddle me this Batman, if the problem is the officers salaries who is to blame? The union can ask for anything but it is the manager and council who ultimately authorize the money raises. The police raises have not been arbitrator rulings. The raises have been negotiated with the manager and council. So again, who is to blame? There is a lot of finger pointing at the employees who do not control their salaries.

This council has ruined the sense of community, sense of security, future property values and overall quality of life.

answer this and you will have your solution...

would you rather pay 63 cops 100,000 each plus outlandish benefits OR would you rather pay 126 cops 50,000 plus realistic benefits

remember everytime a cop retires or goes on disability , you are not only paying for the new cop, but the old cop and the cop before him......its simple math and the numbers clearly state that they have overpriced themselves at expense of the publics ability to pay AND their safety........GREED

Again, who negotiated the outlandish benefits and salaries? The cops and public employees did not come up with their own pay scale. If the salaries are to high the council and manager are to blame.

It is easy to be in charge when times are good and much harder in our current financial circumstances. Thank you, Chief, for your stewardship. The police officers have not created this mess. Look, instead, to years of irresponsible choices by our town council. We are all feeling the pain now, but only a few need to lead. The rest of us just complain in the Patch. And most people are not even proud enough of thier opinions to use thier real names. Our police chief cannot hide behind a code name when he makes crucial decisions to keep our town a safe place to live and raise our children. So, again, thank you Chief Posluszny! And thanks to all the great police officers in our town, who protect us and set great examples for our children, whether they are able to teach lessons in our schools, or not.

Dave, no one wants to sacrifice anyone. When the residents voted against the tax increase, they voted for minimal services. That means doing away with any excess and non emergent services. Just a little FYI, the police have and will continue to take pay cuts. Increased contributions to medical care and pensions have decreased the police salaries, salaries that were much lower than most in Mercer County. Also, many Lawrence officers are veterans who like you also served their country and risked their lives for little pay. Oh and here's a news flash for you, most township operations and coordination of services IS done by the police and public works departments. Lawrence residents have benefited from one of the lowest tax rates in the county for years and have received some of the best services as well. Those days are gone because the 2% cap was meant to reduce the size of local government and to purge waste. The idea was a good one for towns and cities that were overstaffed and mismanaged, but it has proven to be a punishment for towns such as Lawrence that had already trimmed their budgets and workforce to minimal levels. Since Lawrence was already operating with some of the lowest tax rates and budgets, you will see cuts. For those who wanted smaller government, you got it! Stop complaining and enjoy your new freedom absent of services previously provided by Lawrence Township. Oh, and have fun paying for and arranging your own garbage removal.

Keep in mind that it is just not the police at the heart of the problem.... It is your school administrators, township executives, etc., with unheard of salaries. I would like to know how many public servants have accepted salary decreases to help the problem, the answer might be minimal or none, compared to the private sector.

Dave P, Teachers in Lawrence with advance degrees and at the top of the pay scale make close to $100,000 and work 9 months a year. The municipal clerk and several other officer workers in Lawrence well over $100,000. None of these "office" jobs are being cut, but instead low paid secretaries and "grunt" types are being cut. The cops in this town make a fair wage for what they do and believe it or not their salaries are "average" for New Jersey. You get what you pay for folks. If you want a professional police department you have to pay them. If cops were paid 50K a year here in NJ, you would see the quality of officers suffer greatly. As for serving your country, thank you for your service and keep in mind that while the paycheck in the military can be low to start out, you do get free housing, meals, medical care, etc....... which is why the pay is lower.

I just checked to see what the median salaries are for the area: East Windsor 93K, Ewing 108K, Hamilton 102K, Hightstown 94K, Hopewell Township 96K, Lawrence 94K, Pennington 53K, Princeton Boro, 93K, Princeton Township 102K, Robbinsville 85K, Trenton 94K, West Windsor 91K.

I would imagine that a lot of the difference may be because of the level of experience within each location's police force.

Dave once again how are the union's proposals the unions fault if the town accepts them? The town has other avenues to settle contracts such as mediation and arbitration. The union proposed no layoffs and the town refused that proposal. Are salary proposals different? Your spewing propaganda to shift blame from your political friends to the unions. Like I said before it is council and the manager who are responsibile for salaries not the union for making proposals for salary increases.

Dave P, sounds to me that you are bitter about what Cops make in NJ and perhaps you couldn't get a job as one so you bash them. NYC cops make an average of 90K a year after six years on according to their website. Are they overpaid also Dave?

Not trying to bash, just see the problem as a whole... I have and do work in a government and law enforcement capacity so your comment didn't quiet hit the mark there Joe. Are NYC cops overpaid??? Maybe so... So you agree that Philly cops are underpaid??? All sensable people can agree that 100k plus a year is not a feasible median, especially with the downward spiral in NJ.

It seems to me we are all looking at this issue the wrong way (at least according to the previous comments). Forget about whether the police are overpaid, or whether you're pro-union/anti-union, and ask yourself this: Should the cops have been coming to get the bats out of our houses in the first place? Should they have been accompanying an ambulance or responding to minor injuries? Should they be chasing around town for stray dogs?

No one wants to have fewer cops around, but let's not make it sound as if murderers will now be walking through Lville unimpeded because we lost four officers. Like the police chief says, if a bat gets into your house, um, open the windows! Let the remaining cops focus on the real stuff, like they do in every other town.

Dave, I don't milk any system. I go to work day in and day out like anyone else does. I am a taxpayer just like anyone else. I am simply tired of people like you who blame the cops, teachers, firefighters, etc.... for all of the problems. I agree that there is still plenty of fat in the budget and that there are several positions in government that could be cut but the powers that be choose to keep their friends and family employed as opposed to make cuts that make fiscal sense. The cops in this town make a fair wage, they are not rich, they are not poor. Teachers make fair wages in this town. I also find it hard to believe that you are in government/law enforcement and bash the very people you are allegedly associated with.

I don't bash the very people I work for or associate with, I just see the big picture and the hardship local citizens endure because of people like me. I have had a pay freeze for years now and that is a concession I agree with based on the U.S. economy. These public servants you mention have some of the highest paid salaries in the nation, in a state with budget issues, no industry moving in, and with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Your state government has already done the research and highlighted these professions as a group affecting the budget, but if you know of any of these professions or the unions that are affiliated with them making any concessions to lighten the burden on the public please let me know.

We can go back and forth all day, trying to make a point, but when you are in a profession say like an educator or police officer, have an above average salary, you are going to get noticed.

Simple Economics .....The EMPLOYEES cannot make more than the EMPLOYERS

Well wahoo, the current employees make what they make. Current employees, including police have made concessions; concessions to the tune of 0% raises and subsequent raises well below the 2% cap. Police will be contributing 35% for health care which is more than the average private sector employee and they already pay the highest contribution rate of any public employee for their pensions. If the unions would agree, all new hires could start out with much lower salaries and max out at a much lower rate. The effects of that would take place very quickly as many township employees and police are due to retire within the next year or two. New hires will absolutely have to come under a different pay and benefits schedule, that is the reality. Remember though, you will not get a quality law enforcement officer in New Jersey for $50,000. Not because people wont be professional, but those people who can pass background checks, physical and psychological requirements, and those who have much needed common sense are going to work elsewhere. There is just too much at stake. Compensation is not all about the dangers of policing, officers make multi-million dollar decisions every day and must be able to make split second legal and life altering decisions. Is $100,000 too much, probably and that can be justifiably addressed in new contract negotiations for all new employees,

Dave I hardly believe you work in law enforcement or public service. While new employee salaries may be adjusted it is still ultimately the council who is responsible for settling pay increases and contract terms.

The issue here is less services. I am fine with less services if that means my taxs will be adjusted accordingly. Although I find it to have been a bargain to keep service levels where they where for a few hundred dollars a year in garbage fees. Go ahead and attack me. Do you see where proving your point and voting down the referendum has led this town? Guess what's on the table now? Removing trash collection from municipal services all together. OH and less services now. Good choice to the shallow minded tax payer. All of his could have been avoided for a few hundred dollars a year per household.

With an increase in crime and the loss of 4 police officers no one should be suggesting any further layoffs or demotions.
I would look at the current number of officers vs. the current number of supervisors.
If on any given weekday there are an average of 6 or 7 supervisors including the chief there is an average of 6 to 8 total non supervisory officers including detectives working.
That is darn near a 1 to 1 supervisor to employee ratio. It appears the police are still a little top heavy.
If there are upcoming retirements of supervisors then there is no problem if this 1 to 1 is only temporary.
If during the day the chief and 2 lieutenants are working, why are there 3 sergeants working? Or are if there are 3 sergeants working why are 2 lieutenants needed?
Im not trying to criticize the hard work of the police but common sense would say we could have more police on the streets if the total number of police didnt have 1 to 1 supervision.
Our police make in excess of $100,000 a year are their supervisors their personal trainers or what? 1 to 1 are you kidding me?
I know the chief and I know he is a good man and a strong leader. He can make this work.
RICHARD KRAWCZUN....................Wake up. You are a smart and well qualified man. Does the rest of the town have 1 to 1 supervision? Are department heads in the rest of the township who earn close to the national average of Pediatricians needed to run a 2 or 3 person section?

Funny you say that Queen. My boyfriend told me the police department asked town council for another supervisor position when there are only 4 or 5 officers at a time working on the streets.

PR check those numbers. Really not accurate.

PR, your numbers are off big time. Detective bureau alone is at least 8 officers and around 4 civilians during the week. They have a sgt in charge and a lt that oversees that department and records. The other 2 Lts in charge of patrol and other areas alternate days and evenings. The patrol division does not even have the proper amount of sgts. One crew is left with only one sgt forcing the others to fill in when they are able.

The problem no longer lies in being top heavy.

Actually, PR's numbers are pretty accurate. There are never 8 officers at any one time, not even on any one day in the Detective Bureau and there is only 1 part time civilian. Sunshine, you are way off. Maybe if there were not 2 lieutenants and 3 sergeants working during the day to supervise , one of the crews would not be left with only 1 sgt. Don't exaggerate the numbers to justify your jobs. 4 patrol officers have left, the township manager is calling for more layoffs - and the PD is asking for another supervisor. Get real folks. The town wants more officers out on the streets. If there are any more layoffs, the supervisors will be supervising themselves.

One part time Civilian employee? Ok. You don't have your facts correct. You have forgotten the records. 2 juvenile detectives, 4-6 detectives, the evidence officer and the general assignment patrol officer. Hmmmmm. I guess I'm way off.

The problem is having every town having their own police department. There should be a county police department. It works in other States.

Average Joe - My point exactly! Combined services in a troubled state is an option needing more attention. Currently you have the prosecutors office with investigators, the county sheriff's office, local police, the county corrections department, and in some areas county/local park rangers. Not to mention we already have an outstanding state police force with state wide jurisdiction, that are not utilized to their full authority potential, that could easily supplement or aid a county/regional force. By combining all into one large regional or county force would save local citizens millions of dollars. I am not sure of the specifics on response times, but I am sure that departments with these forces have released reports on the impact and quality of services they provide being county wide. Like I said previously, state lawmakers have already recommended to begin combining services, but how may municipalities are following suit? My guess is a minimal. The municipalites just make it seems like they have no other option than to cut services, rather than combining.

Dave take your propaganda banter somewhere else. Your talking half cocked with tip of the iceberg information. Sounds good on face value but combining police services would be an absolute mess for a town like Lawrenceville. If your unhappy with what is happening in Lawrenceville run for office. Your analysis of available agencies to provide police coverage is incorrect. Familiarize yourself with the way the system works in this state. Call the state police, prosecutors office, AG's office or sheriffs department and inquire for yourself. County/local park rangers have no authority or arrest powers. Spare us your "knowledge".

Dave P. Read up on the Camden County Metro Police Department and the troubles they are having in Camden with creating a county police department that is only going to patrol the city of Camden. Slow read the results of the Somerset County proposal for a county police department there. You will see the problem and issues with consolidation in New Jersey.

Last weekend there was a 2 car accident at harneys corner 206 blocking the right lane. After i finally got through the backup I proceeded to home depot and the farmers market. 1 hour later I was coming back home and both cars and drivers were still out there waiting for the police!! The traffic was crazy!!

Anyone remember how Chief Dan remained silent when police staff cuts were being considered during budget meetings before the municipal elections just a few months ago? He didn't stand up for his guys then. I guess now he thinks the cuts "might just" reflect badly on him, so he figured he'd say something. The timing for his current statements is perfect... had they been uttered just a few months back.

This guy is an aloof, compassionless jackass and a poor symbol of law enforcement in Lawrence. No wonder several officers tried to sue him for violation of civil rights. His salary alone would pay for 3 more cops. He makes close to $170K in salary and if he retired (because he has the time in) his pension would pay him $110K/year to sit at home.

I wouldn't let Chief Dan's remarks on "lack of manpower" affect you too much. He's just in it for himself.

Hey Larryille. Your obviously not a current member in the police department. As you know the department just got rid of a huge piece of cancer that held the department members down for years. With that piece of garbage gone the Chief is now doing his best to turn the department around. Most of the officers are very positive about the new changes and everyone seems to be working well together to make the police department better. The Chief has taken an active role in leading these changes and his efforts are very much apprciated by a majority of the officers under him. As a life long Lawrence resident I am excited to have the opportunity to be part of the new LTPD. I commend the Chief on his efforts and you should also. Enough with the negativity, be part of the solution by sharing innovative ideas and giving support rather being part of the problem with the put-downs and negativity.