In honor of National Law Enforcement Officer Week, I spent an hour Friday alongside officers, elected officials, and fellow citizens as the Baytown Police Department hosted a memorial service paying tribute to police officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice this past year.
I arrived at the service ready to pay my respects with issues regarding Baytown’s own anorexic blue line weighing heavily on my mind. Crime in Baytown, and what to do about it, has become a rather hot topic. As City Manager Garry Brumback began to speak, my feelings were echoed as we were reminded that while we should never forget those who have fallen, we have a responsibility to those who haven’t.
Many believe the criminal element needs to be swept out of town via a much larger broom, but there are some issues impeding that end. There are approximately 20 positions open at BPD, and while many are hollering “get ‘em hired and on patrol”…not so fast. If only it were that easy. Qualified applicants are not coming to the table, and police agencies across the nation find themselves in similar positions. Competition is fierce, leaving only those willing to pay fully staffed.
I’ve been told that raising salaries would go a long way in gaining new recruits, as well as aiding in the retention of well-trained officers. What surprised me was the size of the increase it would take to make a difference – an additional $2,749 annually for starting patrol officers. Offering competitive pay is the very least we can do.
While merely scratching the surface in researching our local hiring woes, I realized we are in dire need of getting our priorities straight. The elementary lesson of wants vs. needs seemed to slip our collective minds as we recently voted in some “wants” that will come with hefty price tags affecting what is available for “needs”.
Economic down-turns and rising costs will leave the city manager and city council very little wiggle room as they begin the budget process this summer. We have a responsibility to get involved, learn the issues they face, and give our input on how our dollars can be best spent. City council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. You can reach your elected officials and city council members electronically, and view meeting agendas and packets at www.baytown.org/government.
It is my understanding that current efforts to improve the situation are moving forward. It will take time to turn the situation around – it didn’t get to this point overnight. In the meantime, our elected representatives need to be reminded what we view as important.
I recently heard our men and women in blue referred to as “magicians”. They’ve been seen time and time again pulling through the seemingly impossible, but we’re rapidly approaching, if not already at, a place where the unattainable is being asked. It’s not fair to set these dedicated people up for failure. Our population has grown, and the police force has not. We wouldn’t have gotten this far had it not been for the well-trained, devoted personnel currently and previously charged with protecting our city. It’s time to return the favor.
© 2008 Natalie Whatley
July 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am
This is a great article. I wish every citizen in Baytown could read it!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Someone finally seems to “get it”…finally.