Even during tough budget times the department is targeted for a slight increase.
"We've had the lowest number of murders in Philadelphia in the past 7 years cumulatively since 2007 homicides have dropped a total of 22.8%, robbery has dropped 11.9%," Ramsey stated.
Politicians try to not even utter the phrase "public safety cuts" much less really slash the budget for cops on the street and firefighting. There is no appetite here for layoffs or service cuts of these sacred cows.
"Year after year we go through this at budget time about the lack of paramedics I think it's something that has to be corrected once and for all," said council president Anna Verna.
Fire commissioner Lloyd Ayers breezed through the meeting having only to defend the 63 unfilled vacancies in the paramedic corps.
"Those vacancies are filled with overtime sometimes we will fill them with a firefighter if we have to but they are filled on overtime right now and that's what we have to do," Ayers explained.
There are 3 revenue generating options still on the table the sugar tax on sodas and sweet drinks, the annual trash fee and a 12% property tax hike proposal. Right now it appears none of them have enough votes to pass.
