This blog is about bad budget cuts costing more than just dollars and more bad decisions by some of those that are supposed to represent us. None of us will ever go on record saying that government is perfect, that some budget line items or pork can’t be cut, or that public safety can’t make better priorities. But the last 48hours have revealed the real costs of some very poor decisions when it comes to budget cuts. And the real victims in these cases are not the workers or the unions but the families of those who put their butt on the line for us.
Last night in the Monroe State prison, a single guard was working in a prison chapel of all places by herself with a convicted three strikes felon who had done such things as rape, set his victim on fire, and assault while in possession of a firearm. Yet this guard who had complained previously about safety issues and the lack of staffing was ignored. Now that she is dead because of her very concern. Will management now take her seriously? Despite saving a few bucks at the prison, the amount of money that will now be spent in litigation and settlements will likely rival and surpass what was saved. Makes a lot of sense doesn’t it.
This week also saw the tragedy of a fallen officer in Federal Way whose family is now being punished because of gap in state law or policy. Even though police officers can be involved in a shoot out, be very active on the crime scene, and perhaps even be physically confrontational with a perpetrator of crime, labor and industries rules that the death of Officer Brian Walsh who died in March of 2010 was not in the line of duty. That decision cost the officer’s family hundreds of thousands of dollars and other benefits. It’s hard logic gap to fathom considering he had a heart attack following being shot at, and being very physically active. As far as we are concerned, the bullet did the same amount of damage weather it traveled “harmlessly by” or stuck him square in the head.
The real frustration is that the Association of Washington Cities has come out against any changes to policy and law and agrees with the findings of L&I that would deprive officer’s Walsh’s widow and three children of benefits. Is cost really the issue? If nothing else fairness and equality definitely is.
I know it seem strange that a fire fighter’s blog was all about law enforcement this time, but it reinforces a few common reoccurring themes. If there was ever a reason to be organized to help fight bad managerial decisions the time is now, and that there is a huge disconnect frequently between the voters/public’s expectation of government management and reality.
Support HB-1445. And a link explaining the story is here.