Laidoff Paterson Police Department officers march down Church Street in Paterson, N.J. on Monday, April 18, 2011. The layoffs of a quarter of the police force comes after the city eliminated 392 municipal workers out of a workforce of nearly 2,000 to combat a $70 million budget deficit.
David Affinito, who was one of the 125 officers laid off from the Paterson Police Department, marches with colleagues around city hall during a protest, Monday, April 18, 2011 in Paterson, N.J. Affinito, who grew up in Paterson, had worked five years on the force.
Eva Rumph, right, who has lived in Paterson, N.J. , for 45 years, talks to Guardian Angels officer John Gavares, Monday, April 18, 2011 in Paterson, N.J. Eighteen Guardian Angels began patrolling the city on April 17 per an invitation from Paterson Mayor Jeffery Jones. On Monday, the Paterson Police Department laid off 125 officers, which is a quarter of the police force.
Benjamin Garcia, center, patrol director with the Guardian Angels, talks to Abraham Cinto, center right, and his wife Rosaura Morales, right, about the patrol services of the Angels as the family strolled through downtown Paterson with their 5-year-old son Erik Martinez, Monday, April 18, 2011 in Paterson, N.J. Eighteen Guardian Angels began patrolling the city on April 17 per an invitation from Paterson Mayor Jeffery Jones. On Monday, the Paterson Police Department laid off 125 officers, which is a quarter of the police force.
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Guardian Angels begin Paterson patrols
Sunday, April 17, 2011
LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2011, 5:21 PM
BY KATHLEEN LYNN
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
Responding to the layoffs of 125 Paterson police officers, the New York City-based Guardian Angels began patrols in the city Sunday.
The 18 Angels, in signature red jackets and berets, were greeted in front of City Hall by Mayor Jeffery Jones, who had invited the volunteer safety patrol organization in February as the city’s budget problems deepened. The $70 million budget deficit has led to the planned layoffs of 392 municipal workers, out of a total workforce of nearly 2,000. The layoffs of a quarter of the police force officially take effect Monday, and the police union has called for its members to march from police department headquarters to City Hall Monday morning in opposition to the cuts.
Aside from the police cutbacks, Jones said the Guardian Angels can play “a significant role” in public safety in the coming months, since warmer weather tends to stir up what he called “ruckus” in the city. He said he first contacted the Guardian Angels at the suggestion of a Paterson teacher, after the group brought anti-bullying programs to the schools.
“These are desperate times,” said Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, referring to government budget cuts. “It’s either this or turn the streets over to the criminals.”
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http://www.northjersey.com/news/041711_Guardian_Angels_begin_Paterson_patrols.html