Philadelphia Cuts Police, Fire Services

Money problems in the city of Philadelphia could soon affect the number of police officers on your street or whether or not the fire station near home remains open.

Tonight, Fox 29’s Joyce Evans reports that an extra $6.3 million will be sliced from the police department. That translates to a lot less overtime and no new hires.

The fire department takes an approximate $3.5 million hit. That will be accomplished by cutting back on the OT and “rolling station closures” This means up to 4 firehouses each week will take turns being closed for one day.

Joyce also reports the city is actually putting that tax amnesty money back towards libraries. They will get $2.5 back that was previously cut out of the budget.

So, with all that tax amnesty money recently collected -why is the money going to be given to libraries as opposed to the police or fire department?

Basically, the Mayor says that everyone is feeling the pain.  More cuts may come down the pipes, depending on pending labor union negotiations and if the Federal government does not come through on Medicaid funding.