Another voice: ‘Morally wrong’ to divert city funds to library instead of police

In the paper, Mayor Arthur Babitz is quoted saying, "We acknowledge that without the library we would not get the revenues (on that portion of State Street) and it is in our interests to turn a portion of it over the library to support the park, which is a benefit to our downtown."

Have I missed something? Is public safety not in the best interest of Hood River? How can we as police officers go out every day and risk our lives for the citizens and not feel saddened by those words?

Just two short years ago the City of Hood River was dealing with a big budget shortfall. I remember reopening our guaranteed contract to try and help out the city in a time of need. Not to mention the stress of trying to save our members' jobs. All city employees gave up raises and other concessions. These concessions were guaranteed to our union by contract.

We did all this to try and help the city get out of the financial hole that it was in. We were told that if things turned around financially, we could potentially see some of our concessions we made come back to us. Seeing that the city is so willing to just give the library district up to $10,000, does that mean we will see something come back to us?

Over these last two years our police force has shrunk to numbers the city had in the early 1990s. The city has decided not to backfill numerous positions in order to keep a conservative budget. Does that make our jobs easier? Most certainly not!

We have to try and maintain a certain level of service in our profession no matter the numbers. Why? Because the citizens of Hood River deserve it and they pay in order for us to provide that level of service. In these times it is essential to have public safety as a priority. Cutting back in public safety could potentially come back and haunt us.

Is a 20-minute delay to a domestic disturbance, fight in progress, child abduction, house fire or a motor vehicle crash acceptable? I would hope the answer would be no. Cutting public safety and not making it a priority is irresponsible and flat-out wrong.

My point is: Given all that has happened, and after giving up raises, paying on health insurance and losing positions, we are still required to provide an acceptable level of service. I believe we have done that! It is morally wrong after all that has happened these last two years to give the library district this money.

Sal Rivera is president of the Hood River Police Officers Association.