Flint Fire and Police Departments Are Facing Deep Cuts [Video]

The City of Flint Police and Fire Departments could be losing quite a few bodies if the proposed cuts by Flint's Emergency Manager, Darnell Earley, are put into place.

The public safety budget cuts could lead to the elimination of 36 positions in the police department, and 19 positions lost in the fire department.

Think about that for a minute.  36 fewer police officers in a department that barely has enough people to cover things now.  Plus, I think we all remember what happened the last time cuts were handed down to the fire department.

The $12 Million deficit facing Flint is the main reason for the cuts, but the news goes from bad to worse for Flint residents.  The city would also be hiking water and sewer rates, street lighting and solid waste fees as well to cover the cost.

We've asked this same question when the Flint Schools started their deep cuts, but it's worth asking again.  How much can you cut, before you cut yourself off?  If public safety is cut so short that the people aren't safe, then Flint will start to move back into a problem area that we were in a few years ago.

 ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI