Police and Crime
Earl Morgan's article on crime
Cops earn $6.6 million overtime
Schools
State Report on mismanagement of $8.6 billion School Construction funding
Corzine abolishes School Construction Funding
Police and Crime
In 2007, the Jersey Journal wrote an excellent article on crime, it highlighted the trouble spots in Jersey City. The mayor responded by using taxpayers' monies to run an ad stating crime is reduced. If you live in Jersey City, you know crime is a major issue in Jersey City and the public rarely seen a police officer unless they are working an off-duty job or if the city has a parade.
The following is Speak NJ suggestion on stretching the police dollars wisely:
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Parade groups should pay for the total cost of police service at parades. No money should be picked up by taxpayers.
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Police officers should limit their summer vacation to one week during the summer months.
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There are too many brass on the police force. Those promotions means higher pay checks and less patrol officers on the streets.
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Police officers and their families should be prevented from making political contributions.
Schools
Since 2005 Jersey City school tax levy has increased 39.99%. Since the public has a chance to vote on the tax levy every year, it would be assume that if you vote yes, then your taxes or rent will increase. But that is not the case in Jersey City. More than 25% of Jersey City ratable base is an abatement, meaning it doesn't pay any money to the School Board but residents in those buildings have the right to vote yes on a budget. They raise the tax levy on residents who are property owners.
The cost to educate a public school student in Jersey City is now more than $17,000 according to the 2011-2010 budget JC school budget. Like the police department each school has many administrators who do not teach but adds on to the cost of education. Also, the Board of Education should have the complete budget on-line and not have a summary budget for public view.