HPOU PRESIDENT GARY BLANKENSHIP SAYS CUTTING POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET COULD LEAD TO CRIME WAVE!

Officials from the Houston Police Officers Union say that the city will see a sharp increase in crime as a result of millions of dollars in proposed cuts to the Houston Police Department budget.
FOX 26 News and the Insite have learned that the union is furious that HPD faces losing $14 million allocated for the 2010 fiscal year. Money that could've been used for overtime for police officers.

Union president Gary Blankenship says the impact will be equivalent to losing 155 officers from the Department.

Also on the fiscal chopping block are the $12,000 per person hiring bonuses used by HPD to recruit new officers.

Blankenship says if the proposed budgetary cuts are approved, the Houston area could see a "crime wave."

"Cutting HPD growth today is a huge mistake and HPD officers, as well as the citizens who rely on us to help them, will be the victims of the proposed cut if it is adopted."

Mayor Bill White denies that proposed cuts in the Houston police budget amount to approximately $14 million, but says he cannot provide a specific amount.

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News & Politics

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