The City of Jersey City has approved the purchase of 45 new police cars and four vehicles for traffic guards to replace outdated public safety vehicles.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The new resources reflect the growing number of personnel within JCPD, with the department now including more than 950 officers.
The new department vehicles will replace those that have been in service for up to 15 years.
“The upgraded patrol cars are imperative for a continuously growing police department, as the administration has successfully hired more than 400 police officers in the last five years,†Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.
“We will continue to invest in public safety initiatives, ensuring that we have the best resources to support the men and women who keep our city safe.â€
In addition to the police vehicles, the city has authorized the purchase of four vehicles for traffic guards, which will be added to its fleet of parking enforcement vehicles.
The department does not have 950 officers, that’s the total personnel number including supervisors (Sargeants, lieutenants, captains, dep. Chiefs).
Fulop loves to capitalize on the fact he has hired over 300 officers ever since he took office, but the fact is just as many veteran cops have retired within thay time. He’s simply replacing personnel at top pay with cheaper labor… which brings me to my next point: a lot of new cops, over 30, have left the department for better paying agencies after Fulop froze their salary when they were barely at step one, $37 a year (after tax and other deductions these guys barely see $800 in their biweekly check). That’s a McDonald’s wage right there.