City considers privatizing fire, police

[William769]

CAPE CORAL, FL -
Time is running out for the police and fire unions to strike a deal with the Cape Coral City Council. City leaders are looking at the option of outsourcing fire and police services.

We uncovered a series of emails that show Mayor John Sullivan has been looking at the option of privatizing the fire department since at least June.

Wackenhut Services Incorporated is a private company that has caught the eye of Cape Coral.

"They are in the business of providing fire service," said Cape Coral City Council Member Bill Deile.

Instead of a city funded and operated fire department, the city would pay Wackenhut to take over. :thumbsdown:

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15413713/2011/09/07/city-considers-privatizing-fire-police

[ixion]

1. that won't work out well

you can bet on it.

[William769]

2. Bonita Springs a City in the same County as Cape Coral is proof of that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Until a few cities burn, like Chicago did, they will continue with this

Idiocy.

[aquart]

4. Yep.

[lunatica]

5. We'llk have to pay for using police and firefighter services

They'll guard the rich very well. Against the rest of us.

[Ohio Joe]

6. That will end well...

or, more likely, in a pile of ashes. Idiots.

[XanaDUer]

7. That's kind of a ritzy area

interesting how this will play out.

[William769]

9. Cape Coral Ritzy?

[XanaDUer]

15. Yup.

and red, red, too.

[William769]

16. You better come and take another look.

1 in 8 homes being forclosed. City is broke. Crime is skyrocketing. I'd hate to see what you don't consider ritzy.

P.S. I am only 8 miles from Cape Coral.

[XanaDUer]

17. Oh, well

we used to drive over there to Naples for vacay, and I went on some job interviews there. Sic transit gloria mundi, I guess.

[DrunkenBoat]

18. "As of 2010, there were 78,948 households out of which 23.0% were vacant...

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city is $43,410, and the median income for a family is $47,503. Males have a median income of $32,320 versus $25,068 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,021. 7.0% of the population and 5.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.2% are under the age of 18 and 5.6% are 65 or older."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Coral,_Florida#Demographics

[XanaDUer]

20. Yeah, I believe him

it's okay.

[DrunkenBoat]

21. Yeah, I saw you did, but I thought the 23% vacancy rate was noteworthy. Wasn't directed at you

especially, had to post it somewhere.

[abelenkpe]

8. They'll still be paid with taxes

Will people bitch and moan about salaries or benefits of Wackenhut employees?

[Ikonoklast]

10. You ever see what that anti-union outfit pays?

I can just imagine the caliber of employee that they'll attract.

"Join Our Team As A Firefighter, Risk Your Life For Minimum Wage And No Benefits!"


Yeah, they'll be so happy with these guys...until there's an emergency.

[abelenkpe]

13. You're right

of course. The execs will skim all the money off the top. No one will complain about their salaries and benefits. They are above such recriminations.

[Brigid]

11. Prepare for a mass exodus from that area in a few years.

The crime rate will skyrocket. Fire protection will deteriorate. Doing law enforcement and fire protection on the cheap will not work. Any DUers living there might want to begin planning their relocations now.

[William769]

12. In Florida Cape Coral has the highest foreclosure rate right now.

1 in 8.4 homes.

[DrunkenBoat]

19. 23% of homes are already vacant, according to wikipedia.

[Bandit]

14. Makes as much sense as our Health care Industry..

Your house is on fire you pay up front or they won't put the fire out..Same goes for your health problems.. Pay up front or the doctor won't see you.. I wonder how many chickens the fire dept would need to extinguish a fire? :shrug: