Stand up for police, or else

EAST TOLEDO - Some East side Toledoans, worried about their safety after a reduction in force of the city's police department, want everyone to stand up for the police. Or else.

The thugs and the dope dealers and the prostitutes, they've got this attitude - it's almost time We're going to run the city now," said Gail Wahle.

"I know from being where I live, the criminals are planning and plotting," echoed Chrystal Hooks. "I know it'll take a toll."

All residents of the east side watch are unhappy about the loss of between 40 and 75 officers, as well as a pay and benefits decrease of about 25 percent.

"What's going to happen when they take the cops off the streets?," said Tony Sarno. "We're going to have all the hoods and hoodlum and all kinds of vandalism. It's absurd. We need the cops more than anything."

Many at the block watch meeting believe the police force should be the last things cut from the budget. But with a nearly $28 million hole, some on the city council and in the mayor's office have said there's no where else to cut.

"With having five children, it extremely concerns me," Hooks said. "I worry about their safety. Can I leave my kids in their backyard to jump on their trampoline?"

Hopefully the block watch committee can drum up city-wide support to stand up for the officers and safety.

"Get the word out that we will not put up with losing our safety and our police," Wahle said. "We already work with an undermanned force and they keep our heads above water, they do a great job."

"If we take anything away from that, it'll be ugly."