| An interesting and disturbing phenomenon is | | | | To try and simplify it, the cities across the |
| happening here in Colorado Springs and being | | | | country may have to start cutting back on |
| replicated across the land in other cities. As you | | | | services including police and fire departments. This |
| know police resources are funded thru a city | | | | places the security and safety of all of us at |
| budget: equipment, personnel, training-the whole | | | | greater risk. |
| nine yards. Now there is a growing threat to | | | | With the growth and emergence of more gangs |
| community security and safety that may be | | | | in literally every city in the country it is not an |
| unavoidable. | | | | understatement to say we are at war for the |
| City budgets nationwide are based on revenues | | | | safety our own lives and those of our families not |
| from sales and property taxes. With the value of | | | | to mention the security of our homes. |
| real estate falling like a rock property taxes are | | | | There are parts of cities in every city where the |
| on the decrease. The economy is flat with only | | | | struggle is being lost. It just isn't safe there. |
| minimal growth meaning sales taxes are flat lined. | | | | The police are just being overwhelmed by the |
| That is only the half of it. | | | | bad guys. They do a tremendous job but they |
| On the expense side GAS PRICES HAVE | | | | can't be everywhere 24/7. Throw in some |
| SKYROCKETED and | | | | budget cuts and resources so desperately needed |
| HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ARE OUT OF | | | | to do the job are at risk. |
| CONTROL. This is forcing city managers, city | | | | Citizens need to take a hard look at where this is |
| councils, and budget officials to look at making | | | | headed and be prepared to learn how to defend |
| cuts to just break even. | | | | themselves, their families and their homes. Self |
| In Colorado Springs they were already $8.3 million | | | | defense products like stun guns, pepper sprays, |
| in the hole with less than half the year gone. | | | | personal alarms and tasers, once the province of |
| What does it mean to you and me? | | | | science fiction movies, have become more |
| The answer is not simple and it is not very nice. | | | | mainstream and almost a necessity. |