THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412160215
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Whether it's perception or fact, Portsmouth has a problem with crime. Only a full complement of police officers on the streets will change the situation.
City Manager Wayne Orton's plan to add 29 new officers to the force is welcome news, but it won't do a thing for Portsmouth unless those officers are hired, trained and out on the street.
For a long time, the Portsmouth force has not been up to full complement. Currently, the department has 17 vacant positions. Of the 203 persons on the payroll, 20 are either students in the police academy or recent graduates still in training. Basically, that means the city is 37 officers short when it comes to protecting the streets and enforcing the law.
The shortage is bound to continue for a few years because of the sweetened retirement plan enacted last year. The city cannot wait for the shortages to occur before it starts training replacements for retirees.
Another 15 recruits are scheduled to enter the academy next month, but even they will not fill the existing spaces, much less expand the force as promised by Orton. By the time they finish the course, more officers probably will be retiring.
Orton's promise sounds good, but talk is cheap. Until the city catches up and fills already existing jobs, talking about 29 new officers will do nothing to make the city safer or its image brighter. by CNB