Dekalb Officers Speak

And You Wonder Why We Don't Post Our Butt Naked Picture On "The Blog"

2012-02-14T16:59:00.005-05:00

Stupidity runs rampant. Investigators are spending more and more of their time dealing with officers who post inappropriate statements or racy photographs, said Ken Vance, executive director of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. What started a few years ago as a handful of violations has increased to roughly 50 to 60 such cases per year.

About three-quarters result in revocation of the officers’ certification, which prevents them from working in law enforcement in Georgia, Vance said.

Click here to read more.

Good Guys Win Again

2012-02-11T16:27:00.001-05:00

A predator finds himself on the losing end of a gun battle. Our finest respond to a carjacking call on Columbia Drive and find themselves facing a life or death situation.

Bad guy dies, good guys live.

Click here to read more

City of DeKalb?

2012-02-11T16:23:00.001-05:00

This idea has been floated around since the Manual Maloof Days. Representative Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) still fails to make a case.

Click here to read more.

Center Precinct To Be Eliminated?

2012-02-07T22:21:00.001-05:00

Here it comes… so get ready.

Everyone needs to pay close attention…

The BOC has told the Chief that the police department needs to cut it’s budget…how do you accomplish this? Well it’s all in the numbers. With the shortage of officers and the fact that no new officers are being hired, and the fact that we’re in the process of loosing more officers a plan has come up to eliminate a precinct. You heard right, a precinct…

Now since the formation of the City of Brookhaven is pretty much a done deal and the county has no plan to try and stop or resolve the issues and to stop the bleeding of financial funds within the county North Precinct is going to be relocated. A location has apparently already been worked out, which incidentally will be inside the city limits of Brookhaven.

The plan calls for eliminating Center Precinct…yep that’s right Center Precinct.

Apparently North, with it’s new location would absorb the northern most territories of Center and the remaining territories would be picked up by the other 3 precincts. There would be an increase of officers from Center Precinct spread out to the remaining precincts to give more coverage. In addition to eliminating a precinct you also save by doing away with a Major’s position, saving the county more money. And you put the staff and the aides back out onto the road to help with call volume. The citizens of DeKalb would see more officers on the road, a selling point for the BOC.

The second part is Special Operations would move into the old Center Precinct area at HQ.

All you have to do is look into your own backyard because this has already happened.

It happened to Fulton County PD. It’s almost a carbon copy due to all of the new cities that formed in the north end of that county and the same thing is happening here…so get prepared…, and remember…

It’s all about the numbers to the BOC!!! …. And it’s an election year!!!

Fred

Fish Paper

2012-02-07T17:50:00.000-05:00

Over the last three weeks we have three stories from the Atlanta-Journal-Constitution (AJC) about DeKalb government that were promptly buried and no critical analysis offered.

The three stories are remarkable in detailing the exploitation of DeKalb employees and the reduction of core services provided by DeKalb government to its citizens in favor of increased budgets for the CEO and BOC offices and staff.

That the AJC finds no issues with DeKalb government operating an exploitative "pay-day lender" scheme to its employees or increasing the budgets of the CEO and BOC political offices while simultaneously reducing the budget countywide 10 percent in expectation that Brookhaven will secede from DeKalb government, asks for some for valid questions that AJC reporters and editors refuse to provide.

The AJC is totally silent on implications of the last several weeks. If DeKalb government was lead by a different political party I can guarantee the AJC would rip into DeKalb government for good reason.

I don't care about the political affiliation of DeKalb's political leaders,
I do care about good government for DeKalb citizens and the employees and these last three stories beg for some investigation.

Why are DeKalb leaders refusing to negotiate with Brookhaven citizens?

Why are DeKalb politicians proposing raising their own office budgets and decreasing the budgets of core services to the citizens

Why do DeKalb politician refuse to reorganize and downsize as almost every county surrounding DeKalb has done in the current financial recession?

Why does the AJC increasingly act as the PR spokesperson for DeKalb government instead of offering critical analysis of a dysfunctional local government spiraling down to bankruptcy and rife with unethical deals that even the mentally challenged can recognize?

The AJC is failing DeKalb citizens, DeKalb political
leadership is doing even worse.

It is past time that DeKalb citizens elect solid leaders based upon qualification rather than politics or color of skin.

DeKalb government is failing and the sooner the citizens recognize and correct it the better off they will be.

The AJC is covering for DeKalb's piss-poor political leadership

Why?

Best of luck guys and gals
KenC

The Results Of Liberalism Within The Command Staff

2012-02-02T21:22:00.002-05:00

Wiz Miller's Aide, 2 Assistants Make On Average $142,000.00 Per Year

2012-02-02T10:03:00.002-05:00

The Director of Public Safety position is under the spot light again, which well it should be. Commissioner Lee May wants to abolish $427,000. in funding for the position.

Quoted in The Champion News, Miller says “That would be my entire budget,” “That’s our entire office.” Miller went on to say 98 percent of the budget goes to pay the salaries of Miller, an administrative assistant and two aides.

But, according to county spokesman Burke Brennan, Miller’s $150,000 salary is being paid from the E911 account under the police services budget.

So do the math.

And here's the punch line. According to Miller, “I can’t think of anything negative I have brought to the county,” “Everything is positive. Nothing is negative. It’s surprising that this would come out".

Read more here.

Open Comments

2012-02-01T10:17:00.002-05:00

Funeral Arrangements For APD Officer Gail Thomas

2012-01-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

Viewing will be held on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at Murray Brothers Funeral Home located at 1199 Utoy Springs Road S. W., Atlanta, GA 30331 (404) 349-3000. The public viewing will be from 10:00 a. m. to 5 p. m. The family will receive visitors from 5 p.m. to 6 p. m.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at Elizabeth Baptist Church located at 4245 Cascade Road S. W. Atlanta, GA 30331 (404) 691-3146. Pastor Craig Oliver officiating. The service will be held at 11am on Monday, January 30th.

The burial will take place immediately after the funeral service. The burial will be held at The Mount Harmony Cemetery located at 581 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Mableton, GA 30126.

****For those jurisdictions wanting to participate in the escort; Police Officers will meet near Turner Field. The assembly will line up on Pollard Blvd. between Hank Aaron Dr. & Ralph**** David Abernathy Blvd.

Mourning Band Protocol

Another Bolton Hire Arrested

2012-01-25T21:54:00.000-05:00

At first we weren't going to post anything about this arrest because it really embarrasses the department. But after reading the news article and watching the video, we just couldn't resist.

You just can't make this stuff up!

Police impound the police car of Terrell Bolton hire, who is officer of the month, who is arrested after his girlfriend Shawte (pronounced Shorty at Emory U.), who happens to have a mug shot on file, pimps out her cop boyfriend, who just happens to have evidence in his uniform shirt pocket when arrested.

Terrell Bolton, the gift that keeps on giving.

Good God!

Burrell Ellis Is Asking For 6.5 Percinct Increase In His Budget

2012-01-25T21:08:00.000-05:00

Even though he is predicting at a 5 percent drop in tax revenue, the elitist Burrell Ellis is asking for a 6.5 percent increase in his budget and an increase of 5.8 percent for the commissioners.

This after a year of insurance premiums, for us and our retirees, furlough days and lost paid holidays for public safety.

We came only assume Burrell and the commissioners think they can buy us off with their proposed "payday loans".

It seems the only time they use the work "cut" is with the pay and benefits for the police, and only time they can say "increase" is when it comes to their own selfish pay and benefits.

On your next watch, be sure to write those tickets boys and girls. It's really paying off. To the tune of a 6.5 percent increase for Burrell and 5 percent for the corrupt commissioners.

Click here to read more.

I Owe My Soul To The Company Store.......

2012-01-24T19:19:00.000-05:00

Are they really serious? Our commissioners are so inept running a budget, they now want to resort to "payday loans." This has to be in the top 5 most stupid ideas to come out of the Maloof Building.

The county will now loan you the money to make that special purchase of appliances and such, automatically deduct it from your pay check, and will make 10% of your purchase for their trouble. Nothing but laughable.

Be sure to get the part where if you are dissatisfied with your purchase, the county will take it back from you within the first 12 months. Seriously? What will they do with the returns? Stack them up in the surplus yard to be sold to the highest bidder?

This has to be a joke, right?

Click here for your reading pleasure.

E911 Operators Say They Feel Underpaid, Under-Appreciated

2012-01-20T20:33:00.005-05:00

Addressing the issue of pay raises for 911 operators, Wiz Miller's socialist ideology is front and center.

"There’s funding there,” Miller said. “However, they are employees of DeKalb County just like every other employee. We try our best, even in these hard economic times to adequately and fairly compensate our employees".

What a crock of shit. If there's parity in the county, then why is Burrell Ellis and all his minions making exorbitant amounts of money and car allowances?

Hey Wiz, why don't you reduce your salary on par with the a topped out communications operator? You elitist hypocrite!
Click here to read more

A Call To Arms, Burrell Ellis Is Gunning For Our Pension Fund

2012-01-17T00:25:00.001-05:00

To our fellow officers,

This is probably the most serious attack on our benefits in the history of Dekalb County. The commission, particularly Burrell Ellis, is gunning for our pension in an attempt to destroy it by using our pension as a cash bonanza.

This goes beyond furlough days, unpaid holidays and being forced to work for no pay. This is our very livelihood once we retire. This is the livelihood of all current retirees. Burrell Ellis is posed to make a direct attack on our pension, thus a direct attack on us, public safety employees and the general public.

Burrell Ellis could care less about the safety of the DeKalb County citizenry. He has a problem grasping the concept that public safety takes loyal, dedicated and commented employees. Ellis fails to understand, or simply doesn't care, that people who are welling to dedicate 30 years of their lives, and sometimes their very life itself to the citizens of DeKalb County, should to be rewarded.

We all knew coming into this profession we would not get rich. We are public servants by choice. The reduction of pay, the increase in health insurance premiums and furlough days make our lives harder. But we do our job as a calling, we are centurions. But we are not fools.

It is our hope, at the end of our career, there will be a decent pension waiting for us and our family for the sacrifices we make. Now, Burrell Ellis wants to take that all away. He will never come out and say it, but these latest actions show his covert attempts to take our pension away from us. Our pension, not his.

We have a poor track record of being united. Burrell Ellis and the commissioners count on us to turn a blind eye to the intricacies of our pension. We simply cannot afford not to become involved and united. We must become more active.

All we have now as far as being organized is the Frateranal Order of Police, Lodge 10. It is time the F.O.P. steps up to the plate on this. Granted, membership is low, and the executive board including president Jeff Wiggs don't get too excited carrying the burden for all the non-members.

Our pension is so important, it's time for all of us to join the F.O.P. Once we are members, we can make demands to take the fight to Burrell Ellis and the commissioners. If the current F.O.P. execute board and president refuses to take on this battle, then with enough members, we put in place the people who will.

This is a defining moment for all of us and the F.O.P. We call on Jeff Wiggs to address this issue. We offer the blog as a platform to get the message out.

"I talked with Robbie Robertson today on various issues, let me give you the bad news first.Pension funding is down to the mid-sixties from the mid seventies of last year due to the financial market.

The pension board expects a new and vastly degraded pension plan for the new employees to be rolled out shortly by the commissioners.The employees have got to admit that the pre-2005 pension plan is unsustainable under current market conditions.

The pension board is extremely concerned that the commissioners will take action against the pre-2005 pension plan for the active employees. Robbie stressed that the active employees will have to take active measures against the attempt by the commissioners to deprive them of their legally defined pension benefits.
On the positive side.

The pension board is satisfied with pension board election results and working to train the new members. It will take approximately two years to bring the new members up to speed.

My opinionated opinion on the pension board:

This is not the same pension board as seen over the last decade. Many of the members still remain but they are not lying down and taking the same shit that they did previously under the Jones administration. The latest minutes reveal that there was sustained and effective resistance against the attempt to subvert the pension board with the addition of Gottlieb and Ransom as voting members.

Make no mistake, Gottlieb and Ransom do not work for DeKalb retirees and employees. They work for the commissioners and CEO and will screw DeKalb employees at the slightest whim of the DeKalb CEO and commissioners.

The DeKalb pension board stood tough against Ransom and Gottlieb, the CEO and commissioners. DeKalb employees will have to follow through in the next year with active support as the CEO and Commissioners attempt to legally remove employee pension benefits. The pension board can not do this alone. They need the active employees help and support on this issues.

The pension board is doing their best to retain your pension benefits. The BOC is intent upon destroying them.

You make the decision as to who to support in this fight.
Best of luck, guys and gals!"
KenC

Benita Ransom, Burrell Ellis' Lap Dog and Human Resource Director, Fights For a Power Grab On The Pension Board

2012-01-15T21:12:00.001-05:00

Be afraid, be very afraid.

During the September 2011 pension meeting, Benita Ransom questioned why she and finance director Joel Gottlieb are not allowed to vote on pension matters.

This is the same woman, an outsider from the city of Atlanta, who instituted our new wonderful holiday pay plan. You know, the one where we are paid 32 hours for 40 hours work.

Joel Gottlieb is the same person who is responsible for the illegal use of 40 million dollars illegally taken from the green space program to be used in the general budget to cover bills.

On a side note, the question was asked, when was the last time our retirees received a cost of living raise? Some say 2005, some say 2007. For any of the members not knowing the answer to this question is beyond ridiculous.

Click here for reading pleasure.

F.O.P. Web Site Back Up and Running

2012-01-14T11:15:00.000-05:00

Wife of Sergenat D.A. Frazier Dies

2012-01-14T10:45:00.001-05:00

Sergeant David Fraser has lost his wife Kathy after an extended illness. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced once they are finalized. Please remember David, his twelve year old daughter Hannah, and their family in your time of prayer.

Burrell Ellis Leaving A Legacy of Corruption

2012-01-14T10:08:00.001-05:00

On the heels of allegations of corruption and pay offs within the Water Shed Department, Ellis announces Dekalb County is in the business of creating jobs through the county's 1.35 billion dollar "stimulus package", the revamping of the county's sewer system.

Ellis promises economic prosperity and clams it will create 1300 jobs, costing the tax payers just over 1 million dollars per job. Prosperity for who? The likes of Dick Stogner?

Time and time again throughout this country, people have been convicted for corruption in almost every large sewer system revamp. The closest being the City of Atlanta.

Ellis promised the jobs will be directed to DeKalb residents and small, minority-owned contractors, so you white males need not apply.

We commend District Attorney Robert James for taking on the allegations of corruption. But he really should turn this over to the Feds because this is way over his head.

Typical Third World Actions

2012-01-14T09:29:00.001-05:00

And we rely on these people to make educated decisions about the county's future.

County Arrogance Cost Taxpayers Money

2012-01-09T09:55:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to fire Captain Sell Caldwell for not laying down and let this county continue to get away with doing employees wrong. We hope he can get punitive damages out of this arrogant hierarchy.

"The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that a former DeKalb County fire captain should be reinstated to his job.

Sell Caldwell III was fired after a February 2010 fire in Dunwoody left 74-year-old Ann Bartlett dead.

In the Supreme Court ruling released Monday, justices said Caldwell was fired after authorities said he failed to locate the dispatch address and failed to take command of the scene.

Caldwell appealed to authorities in DeKalb County, where a hearing officer determined the fire department made factual errors in firing Caldwell.

A DeKalb County Superior Court Judge then ordered the county to give Caldwell his old job back. The Supreme Court said in its ruling Monday that Caldwell should be reinstated".

AJC story

Governor Nathan Deal Is Playing Politics With Georgia Law Enforcement

2012-01-09T01:49:00.000-05:00

Governor Deal has placed one of his political cronies, former state representative Tim Bearden to run P.O.S.T.

How does this affect you? Think Terrell Bolton, but on a state level. Not only is Tim Bearden not qualified, his character is questionable at best.

Click here to read more.

F.O.P. Web Site Suspended

2012-01-08T22:45:00.000-05:00

As of January 8, 2012 at 20:45, the F.O.P. web site has been suspended.

What gives?

Nitro West Virginia Police Officer Recovering At The Shepherd Center

2011-12-30T23:17:00.000-05:00

Please visit Officer Jimmy Lee and his family during their trying time, offer whatever assistance you can provide. This brother and his family are strangers in a strange land.

Show our fraternal spirit.

The Shepard Center is located at 2020 Peachtree Road NW Atlanta 30309.

Gwinnett PD Places Tag Readers On Marked Cars

2011-12-27T12:39:00.002-05:00

There's some "thinking out of the box" going on in Gwinnett County. Somebody in their command staff came up with a brilliant idea of putting Tag Readers on marked police cars and putting them on the streets. At least 3 of these marked units are in 3 separate precincts with more on the way.

But here in DeKalb, our command staff has a much different philosophy. See, we have ONE marked police car with the Tag Reader for 5 precincts to share. We have 3 more on detective cars which sit in a private residence driveway 14 hours a day 3 days out of the week.

Ingenious!

Pension Board Election: Candidates for Retiree Representative

2011-12-26T20:13:00.002-05:00

The election is January 6, 2012. These candidates are in no particular order, nor are we endorsing anyone at this time.

Click on any name to read their self described qualifications.

Chandler Bridges
William Pickens, Jr
Robert Robertson
Nathan Fowler
James Bradford Duncan
Charles Huckleberry

God Bless You All, And Have A Very Blessed Christmas

2011-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

Dekalb Police Alliance Announces Fund Rasier

2011-12-23T21:20:00.000-05:00

The DeKalb Police Alliance will host its annual fund-raiser in February to help with insurance costs for law enforcement officers.

The Hearts for Heroes Ball will be held Feb. 11 at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center on Clairmont Road in Atlanta. The event features a dinner, dancing and live auction.

Funds raised go to underwrite a $100,000 life insurance policy to help families of fallen sworn officers in DeKalb county and city police departments, marshals and sheriff’s office.

More information: www.dekalbpolicealliance.org or 678-362-0392

April Hunt AJC

If Only These Idiots Would Get This Excited About Police Pay and The County Budget

2011-12-23T19:09:00.001-05:00

For Some Reason We Don't Believe Him, Or Any Of The Commissioners

2011-12-16T00:10:00.000-05:00

Conventionally, the repayment of the 40 million dollars stolen from the Green Space Fund is left out of the budget.

Where are you Robert James?

YMCA.....Letters Of The Alphabet Only

2011-12-13T09:10:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, the letters YMCA stood for Young Men's Christian Association. When you read the word Christian, you think of all things good and honest.

But the YMCA of South DeKalb has chosen to "honor" the unrepentant degenerate thief and liar, Commissioner Sharon Sutton as it's 2011 Tom Wilson Impact award winner. Giving this woman an honor of any sorts is a sin within itself.

Next they'll be honoring Gene Jones and Club Obsession for it's mentoring of the youth.

Strike the YMCA off our charity list.

Click here for AJC article.

Officer Spots Theft Suspect On Channel 2 News

2011-12-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

Good police work!

Click here for more.

Unimaginable

2011-12-10T00:00:00.002-05:00

Sadly, when an officer dies in the line of duty, we act in selfish ways, first saying to ourselves "only by the grace of God, him, not me" and then we start to Monday morning quarterback. We lose sight of the family members.

We struggled with our reaction to this comment. No, we have not walked in her shoes, so we don't know and really can't imagine how she feels. But being a parent, it ills us to think of getting that knock on the door.

This mother, this family, need our prayers and comfort.

May God bless her.

"I am the mother of Det. Shane Wilson. My heart is broken. I told myself I would not read anything on the accident and listen to what others had to say. I'm barely getting out of bed once I wake to this repeating nightmare.

For the record, Shane was driving an unmarked city issued Ford Edge not equipped with emergency equipment so obviously he did not have it on. He was ripped from life by a known criminal who was sitting in the outside emergency lane decided he wanted to go east in the west bound lane so he made a u turn on I 20. He turned right into my son and killed him. No amount of money can fix that.

If you drink and drive, Stop Now.

Please. For those that don't know, Shane was home in bed and called to respond to a home invasion where both the victim and the perps were criminals. They had one suspect in custody. The victim of the home invasion was actually arrested last night for drug buys. My son died that night but he and the other officers were the only good guys. All the other players were those people out there among us all that just refuse to play by the rules. Rules Don't Apply. I'm having a tough time with that."

Gayle Hanson, retired DeKalb Police Officer

"Bah, Humbug!

2011-12-03T00:34:00.000-05:00

DeKalb County family says thieves stole their Christmas tree.

Wrong, just wrong.

Click here to read more.

Donations Needed For DeKalb Police Lunch

2011-11-30T19:29:00.000-05:00

State Rep. Stephanie Benfield is asking residents and neighborhood associations for food donations for the annual appreciation luncheon for the South DeKalb Police Precinct.

We guess the fine Representative feels we can use a free lunch after being furloughed, unlike the commissioners who have their lunch catered on the taxpayer's dime.

Drunk Driver Who Killed Doraville Police Detective Robert Wilson Post Bond

2011-11-23T20:10:00.003-05:00

Bond has been set at $265,000 for Gene Jones, the drunk driver that killed Detective Wilson.

With Jones' past DUI's and numerous open container violations it makes us wonder if there was something more the judicial system could have done? Could the laws or the sentencing been tougher? Then again it had been five years since the last offense so maybe the system had worked as it should?

Does our department take DUI serious enough, or do we rely too much on the DUI Task Force?

It would be interesting to see a yearly comparison of the task force DUI arrest compared to the uniform division as a whole. Just as interesting would be a comparison our uniform DUI arrest to that of metro agencies.

Please Don't Give Yarbrough Any Ideas

2011-11-22T23:18:00.000-05:00

Police Don Turkey Suit For Vegas Crosswalk Sting

Promotions And Transfers

2011-11-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

Click here to view Personnel Orders DKPD-P 2011-39, 40 and 41

DeKalb County Pension Board Election

2011-11-18T00:37:00.001-05:00

The Qualifying Period for the DeKalb County Pension Board election will be December 5, 2011 through December 14, 2011. Any employee who is a participant in the DeKalb County Pension Plan as of the qualification deadline date may run for membership on the Pension Board.

Two employees will be elected. To qualify for candidacy, you must go to the Voter Registration & Elections office at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. Qualification applications will be completed onsite from 8:30 am to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, beginning December 5, 2011.

Sadly, We Get The Feeling This Is Only The Beginning Of Incidents To Come

2011-11-16T12:10:00.003-05:00

Doraville Police Officer Killed in Traffic Accident

2011-11-14T19:36:00.002-05:00

Detective Robert Wilson is the son of retired DeKalb officer Gayle Hanson and step-son of retired DeKalb officer Captain Jim Hanson.

Go in peace brother.

Click here for funeral arrangements.

Mourning Band Protocol

Open Comments

2011-11-13T21:58:00.000-05:00

What will this week bring?

2011-11-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

Things Are Going To Get A Lot Worse Before They Get Better

2011-11-09T23:45:00.002-05:00

The county is broke. So broke in fact the commissioners stole 40 million dollars from the green space fund. A violation of the law, by the way.

Now property tax projections for 2012 are worse than anticipated, even after property taxes were raised 26% in 2011. The commissioners are gearing up for a struggle with the 2012 budget. It looks like the city of Brookhaven is a go in 2013.

The commissioners are standing around scratching their heads with fingers inserted into orifices of their body wondering what to do. The only idea to surface so far is doubling our pension contribution and switching new workers to a defined contribution retirement plan.

Not one single commissioner is suggesting following the guidelines of the famed Georgia State University study, which partly suggest the county reduce its workforce by as many as 909 positions, 33 percent of which are in Burrell Ellis' office.

Brace yourselves not only for the increase in pension contributions, but the lose of more paid holidays in conjunction with furlough days, all the while Burrell, his staff and the commissioners eat steak.

Lieutenanatard and Occupy Atlanta....The Rest of The Story

2011-11-08T14:55:00.003-05:00

We hate to seem like we are ganging up on one of our own, but come on! What was Rorey thinking? This smells like a deliberate act of fraud to us.

That 5 minutes of fame kinda sucks huh?

Click here for more.

Occupiers, We Mean Campers, Have Taken Over The Yard of One of DeKalb's Finest

2011-11-08T11:16:00.002-05:00

You know, we had a long editorial typed out concerning Rorey, the Occutards and Rorey’s financial woes. In particularly we addressed those rushing to Rorey’s side saying they support Rorey and the OccuTards because the commissioners are the cause of his financial problems. Admittedly, it rambled on into the national political arena. This blog is not the place.

But to those defending Rorey’s invited campers, please, keep your idiotic reasoning in the closet. The OccuTards claim to be against corporate greed. We have yet to see them occupy Decatur, denouncing the abuse the commissioners are afflicting on police officers.

We haven't heard from Lt. Rorey, so we don’t know his side of the story. But his wife is neither claiming corporate greed nor the reduction in pay. She is claiming they are victims of scammers.

It’s reasonable to believe anyone of us can become a victim of identity fraud at any moment, and hopefully everyone has take precautions. But a police officer being scammed?

We’ll just leave it there.

Open Comments

2011-11-07T09:53:00.001-05:00

Only 36% Think DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis Deserves a Second Term

2011-11-03T09:43:00.000-04:00

Encouraging news on one hand, discouraging on the other.

Read more here.

Enough Is Enough!

2011-11-02T00:44:00.009-04:00

In all seriousness, it is time for the Governor's office to step in. This corrupt commission has to be stopped, and stopped now! Sorry Mr. Gottlieb "We're sorry, we won't do it again" just doesn't get it. The law has been broken! Someone needs to be held accountable, prosecuted and sentenced to prison. Your credibility has been shot. You make yourself sound like you are in on the scam. After all, you are the chief financial officer for the county.

During this current administration, it was discovered that 150 million dollars, yes, that's right, 150 million dollars is missing from Recorders Court. No formal investigation has been launched. There is 60 million dollars in uncollected fines that Burrell Ellis describes as unfeasible to collect. The water department is shaking down homeowners with water bills they do not owe, and never owed. Sharon Sutton is spending taxpayer money on smorgasbords and defense attorneys. Now this.

Our previous and current District Attorney's have shown their incompetence, or down right refusal to investigate any of this corruption. But now the spotlight is on D.A. Robert James. He has an legal obligation to investigate this matter with indictments handed down and convictions. The law has been broken. He has no choice in the matter. He swore an oath to uphold the laws of this state and county. This investigation should be rapped up in 30 days with people in jail. If Robert James fails to get an indictment, then he needs to be investigated.

This is a scandal!

Where's the repayment going to come from? Let's see, the commission just raised property taxes by 25 percent, bringing in about 55 million. Now they have to repay the bond money of 40 million, leaving just 15 million from the tax increase. Can you say bankrupt? Incompetent buffoons!

As for the visual slant showing one of our police cars as the words are spoken "the money was used for salaries", we call bullshit. Under this administration we have seen our pay and benefits reduced.

Yeah, somebody is being paid alright.....

With this type of unchecked, blatant corruption in public view, how long before it bleeds over into our police department, if it hasn't already?

The madness continues!

\

Retired Lieutenant Duckworth Morgan Dies

2011-10-31T18:03:00.001-04:00

Lieutenant Duckworth Morgan, age 91 of Conyers, died October 30, 2011. He was preceded in death by wife, Catherine B. Morgan. He is survived by daughters, Dian Morgan, Conyers, Fay Morgan-Swennes, Atlanta; granddaughter, Erin Stacey Swennes, Ann Arbor, MI; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lt. Morgan retired from the DeKalb County Police Dept. in 1986 after 34 years of service, was a member of the Peace Officers Association and a WWII Navy Veteran.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Scot Ward's Green Meadow Chapel with Rev. Reese Sanders and Rev. Herb Woodyard officiating; interment will follow at Green Meadow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 12 noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Go in peace brother!

Morale Continues To Plummet

2011-10-29T13:23:00.000-04:00

We have lost approximately 130 officers through attrition for the year.

Great work DeKalb Board of Commissioners! Taxpayers should feel real safe.

Pension Contributions To Double

2011-10-29T12:50:00.001-04:00

It's confirmed that our pension contributions will double in 2012. Look at your check, and double the amount that is being taken out now. Gives you a warm fuzzy feeling don't it?

Oh, and don't forget, we lose two more paid holidays before years end.

To remind you how much you are appreciated and loved by the commissioners, Commissioner Sutton, a fine example of a worthless piece of dog excrement that a human can be, has hired a lawyer at taxpayer expense to keep all her lies straight.

It is far beyond a joke now. We can't understand why the taxpayers are not over flowing commission meetings demanding for her resignation.

Open Comments

2011-10-28T12:42:00.002-04:00

The Results Of A Degenerate Society Leads To 1 in 10 Police Officers Being Assaulted

2011-10-25T21:29:00.001-04:00

56 law enforcement officers killed in 2010.

Click here for more.

City of Brookhaven

2011-10-22T12:10:00.000-04:00

Click here for the proposed map of the city.

Commissioner Sharon Sutton, A Fine Outstanding Individual

2011-10-21T01:30:00.000-04:00

Vernon Jones Walks Into A Bar.....

2011-10-17T09:31:00.000-04:00

Read here about an encounter with Vernon Jones

New Health Insurance Rates

2011-10-12T19:42:00.002-04:00

Click here for health carrier options. Click here and here to read and weep.

DeKalb County Commission: Shameless

2011-10-12T10:17:00.009-04:00

The retirees should be very afraid, especially those between the ages of 50 and 65. There is the very real likelihood that they will be left without health insurance in the very near future.

They dedicated their lives to the citizens of DeKalb County, knowing, at the time, they would have a meager pension and some assistance with health insurance premiums upon retirement.

But now our retirees have become to expensive. They are a burden to the taxpayers of DeKalb County. The commissioners don't have the courage to make appropriate cuts in budgets and reduce the bloated work force to protect our retirees.

So now the rules may be changed. The commissioners are considering to just simply drop their health insurance, leaving our retirees to defend for themselves. For them to just hold on until they reach the age of 62 65 until they can enroll in that travesty called Medicare, or worse yet, Obamacare.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. The retirees planned for their future. They made financial decisions based on knowing a part of their health insurance would be paid. They invested in Differed Comp to help make ends meet knowing their pension would not be enough. But now, they will have to use that, plus more, to pay for health insurance.

They may not be in the best of health, they may have spouses or children that are sick and struck with a debilitating illness or disease. They cannot simply run out and get another job that offers benefits, especially in this economy.

When the retirees hired on, benefits was part of the deal. Now the commissioners are wanting to break their end of the deal. It gives us a sick feeling in our stomachs to know the commissioners are even considering treating our retirees like this.

As a current employee, an employee who is nearing retirement or one who wants to make this a career until retirement, you should be equally afraid. Because now, on that wonderful day that you retire, you could easily retire into no healthcare.

But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, Burrell Ellis, his staff and all the commissioners will have their insurance premiums paid until the day they die.

Now get out there and write those tickets!

Commissioners Raise Health Insurance Premiums

2011-10-11T17:33:00.001-04:00

Instead of making logical cuts in the budget and eliminating needless positions throughout the county (DeKalb County has 6000 employees, the most of any county in Georgia), the commissioners have chosen to raise our health insurance rates.

Over the past 12 months, the commissioners seem to be on a deliberate mission to transform employees, including the police department, to nothing more than the equivalent to day laborers and sheep.

In 2013, they will make a move to completely cut retirees health insurance altogether.

Sadly, it appears the commissioners have won. One area where the budget has been increased, is for the purchase of more Kool-Aide

So much for dedication.

Click here to read more.

Retired Major John Fenley Dies

2011-10-09T21:04:00.000-04:00

Visitation for retired Major John Fenley will be held at Tom Wages Funeral Home, 3705 Hwy 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039, Monday October 10, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and Tuesday October 11, from 1:00 -3:30 pm.

The funeral service being at 3:30 pm in the chapel of the funeral home.

The internment will follow at Melwood Cemetery located at 5170 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Go in peace brother.

Open Enrollment

2011-10-07T22:58:00.004-04:00

Click here for dates, time and location.

How is it that we hear of and see other local government and private sector insurance premiums historically lower then DeKalb County? What is the deal?

Of course open enrollment was to begin October 1, but now has been moved to October 17. Just over 2 weeks late, in typical county fashion.

And the beat goes on.

Commissioners Shifting More Cost Onto Our Backs

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

Here we go again. They just keep on. When will you people wake up?

Click to here to read more.

Dunwoody Offically Leaves DeKalb's 911. DeKalb Seeks Bids For CAD

2011-10-05T09:57:00.000-04:00

Just as the City of Dunwoody leaves our 911 system, DeKalb County is seeking bids for computer aided Ddispatch procurement consulting services.

Why now? Did the county think Dunwoody was joking when they said they were leaving?

Former DeKalb Offier Indicted For Vehicular Homicide

2011-10-05T09:41:00.000-04:00

Former offier Kristina Hambie has been indicted on 2 counts of vehicular homicide after she was involoved in an on duty automobile accident on February 19, 2011,

The is sad for all parties involved. Slow down guys!

Click here to read more.

Pension Attacked

2011-10-02T13:13:00.002-04:00

By now, everyone has figured out that the commissioners have attacked our pension. While we were focused on losing our paid holiday (Labor Day), the commission in a preconceived secret plan, attacked our pension, and at the same time, furloughed us.

The commissioners lied, saying if we worked on Labor Day, we simply would lose a banked holiday, not pay. They reduced our gross income by approximately a days pay. To make up for the reduction, in hopes we wouldn't notice the loss of pay, the commission chose to reduce our pension contribution by approximately 8.5% to balance out our net income.

Trying to keep this simple as possible, the county's legally required pension contribution of 17%, was also reduced. The county saved just over 8 hundred thousand dollars.

What does this mean to us is? It means the pension fund itself is short 8 hundred
thousand dollars. It means, we have to go through this again two more times this year (Veterans Day/Day after Thanksgiving). It means the pension fund will be short over 3 million dollars for 2011 (not including the kick in the pants from the market being down). It means, your monthly pension pay out, should you retire, will be reduced.

One officer tried to get an explanation from the Finance Department. In part, here is the answer he received;

"I hope this answers your questions. Please contact me if you have further questions. Additionally, I noticed that there are some questions and responses to the unpaid holiday on the Police blog that others have responded to which may be of help to officers who have similar specific questions."

Looks like the county has finally legitimatized our blog.

To read the full response, click here.

The madness and thievery continues.

Burrell Ellis Sides Against Us

2011-09-28T00:41:00.000-04:00

For years we have suffered through no pay raises, no cost of living increases, forced work for no pay, furlough days, loss of paid holidays, loss of promotional pay and the possibility of our pension contribution increasing by 100%. Burrell Ellis and the commissioners have done nothing but take, take and take.

For once, some of the county commissioners listened to us about our choice of healthcare options. Collectively, we told them we are willing to pay more out of our pockets for more, and to some, better healthcare options, in particularly, Cigna HMO. Burrell Ellis says no!

Even Bonita Ransom, Director of Human Resources, an outsider, says “Employees have not gotten a salary increase; there have been no new perks.” “We wanted to find a way to make an effort to do something for employees that at the same time minimizes the county’s cost.”

Burrell Ellis has shown time and time again his total disregard for the police and other county employees. Even when we say we are willing to pay more for a “perk”, he says no. It makes us wonder if he lays awake at night thinking of ways to screw us.

Even Commissioner Elaine Boyer says “The employees will think that we have duped them and jerked the insurance out from under them.”

No kidding.

Click here for AJC article.

Hardcore Pension Reform On The Horizon

2011-09-23T23:42:00.004-04:00

Commissioner Elaine Boyer spoke at Perimeter Community Improvement Districts luncheon and as per a tweet mentioned pension reform.

"From: @SpaceyG
Sent: Sep 23, 2011 12:34p

DeKalb Commish Elaine Boyer warning that hardcore pension reform is on
the horizon for DeKalb County, GA too. Welcome to the stock market!"

http://twitter.com/SpaceyG/status/117275743892946944

Yes folks, it is going to get worse before it better.

WOW! Just What Is Going On With Our Pay? Did We Get Furlouged?

2011-09-23T16:44:00.002-04:00

Is our pay screwed up or what? Did the county make a lame attempt to furlough us in the dark?

Some officers were docked 20 hours pay. Some had their pension contributions deceased or increased. Some 4-3 officers have been paid as 5-2 employees. Others have a reduction in pay, while some have an increase. How will this effect our pension at the end of the day?

When inquires were made to personnel, they pointed to Bonita Ransom and Human Resources.

Looks like Ms. Ransom needs to be dragged in front of the commissioners and explain to Lil' Larry why some of us not only lost a holiday, but received a reduction in pay!

Cop Killer To Be Executed

2011-09-20T09:34:00.000-04:00

Finally, after more then 20 years and millions and millions of wasted dollars, Troy Davis will be executed for the murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail.

Read more here.

Open Comments

2011-09-17T09:32:00.002-04:00

Good Gobbledygook! What Happened To The Stroke of The Pen?

2011-09-13T22:14:00.000-04:00

Yes folks, we have been lied too once again! Lil' Larry said our holiday time could be changed with a stroke of a pen.

Now it's official. Even though we work 10 hour shifts, we are only getting paid 8 hours when we work holidays.

We called for a ticket strike. The chief asked us to let him work with the commissioners. So, we there that get us?

Here is Chief O'Brien's email to all the chiefs:

Chief’s…..If you have not already done so, please let employees know that in regard to the unresolved holiday pay issue concerning 8 or 10 hours of leave, the decision has been made.

If an employee works 10 hrs on a holiday, they will bank 8 hrs of holiday time and 2 hrs of comp time.

If they are on a scheduled off day when the holiday falls, they will only receive 8 hrs of banked time

All suspension time will reflect 8hrs. If a 10 hr employee is suspended for 8hrs, they can either use accrued vac., holiday, or comp time in order to take the entire day off.

Please keep in mind that this does not apply to the two remaining unfunded holidays this year.

William O’Brien
Chief of Police

We don't fault Chief O'Brien, we fault the commissioners.

How much longer will you trust the commissioners and the propaganda being dished out at roll call? "Come on guys, if you'll just write more tickets, the commissioners will love us, we promise."

The madness continues.

They Are Coming For Our Pension

2011-09-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

We have gotten word from a reliable source the commissioners are trying to tap into the county pension and reduce all pensions (retired and current employees) to balance the out of hand county budget. This information comes directly from a commissioner.

People, this is very serious, disturbing news. It will effect each and everyone of us, including our friends at the fire department. It is going to take the effort of each and every current employee and retiree to stop this. We simply cannot allow this to happen. Period.

To all you vested officers, who have worked hard and long, trying to whittle out a career, even while be attacked and abused by the commission. What will lay at the end of our career? Will there be any type of pension waiting for us?

Can you imagine doing your 30 years with defined benefits and having that number reduced? Our retirees are already under attack. For the retirees that are 65 years old and over, their health insurance premiums are being increased by 6%. No one can remember when the last time they had a cost of living adjustment was, and it sure as hell wasn't 6%.

We have to ban together and stop this in its tracks or our pension will cease to exist.

The next pension board meeting is November 3, 2011 at 9:30 AM. We need you to attend. We need all the retirees to attend, not just public safety, but all county retirees. We need to show force by numbers.

We are asking Jeff Wiggs of the F.O.P., what are the plans of the F.O.P.? Will there be any leadership on this?

Here is the link to all the pension board members email addresses. Voice your out rage to each and everyone on them. Sign your name. We need to be heard.

Remember, November 3, 2011 at 9:30 AM

2011-09-11T00:01:00.001-04:00

What Is The County Hiding About Our Health Insurance?

2011-09-08T16:08:00.002-04:00

This from one of our readers:

"Regarding the post concerning the health benefit meeting: Well, it was pretty sad. I can say without hesitation that Mercer Healthcare - who put together this poo - didn't really come that prepared. Also, someone from the audience pointed out that the handouts did not contain the full info regarding deductibles.

I for one came out of there feeling like the Finance Department and Mercer were playing some sort of shell game. It was made clear that we would not get the full story until open enrollment.

Plus - retiree information for people over 65 was not made available...makes you wonder what is going to happen to this group."

Makes us worried that we will loose even more of our benefits when open enrollment comes around. Rumor has it, our retirees, or at least those 65 and over, will see an increase in their health insurance premiums by as much a 6%. Sounds as if Benita Ransom suddenly realized she has screwed everybody but our retirees. Now it's their time.

Nothing like rewarding loyalty and dedication, huh?

Once Again We Ask: When Will The Criminal Investigation Begin?

2011-09-06T21:25:00.000-04:00

So far, there is no word if a criminal investigation will be initiated against the very apparent theft commented by Commissioner Sutton.

In the meantime, we believe, at the very least, there should be an investigation by the DeKalb County Board of Ethnics Board. Should it be left up to one person to file a complaint? No. It will take many people to get their attention. That is why we have posted the procedures for filing a complaint against Commissioner Sutton.

We haven't been able to locate a telephone number for the ethics board, but here is the email address: dekalbethicsboard@gmail.com

Please put your complainant in letter form and mail it to:

Board of Ethics
Clerk of the Governing Authority
Clark Harrison Building
330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030

Procedures for Filing An Ethics Complaint.

Although informal inquiries regarding the possible lodging of complaints are welcome, formal complaints must be made in writing. The complaint must be addressed to the Chair of the Board of Ethics, and may be filed with the Clerk of the Governing Authority, Manuel Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030. The clerk will forward a copy of the complaint to the Chair of the Board of Ethics, who shall in turn forward copies to each of the Board members. Although the filing need not be in a specified format, a proposed form is available at this site for the use of a complaining party. (Complaint form)

A written complaint must be received by the clerk of the governing authority at least seven (7) days prior to a meeting of the Board of Ethics to be placed on the agenda for that meeting. If received within one week of a scheduled meeting, the complaint will be addressed at that meeting. If the complaint is received in the interim between quarterly meetings, the chair may schedule a called meeting at a time convenient for all parties to the complaint to address the matter.

An oral complaint may be received at any scheduled meeting of the Board of Ethics, but will not be acted upon at the same meeting at which it is introduced. An oral complaint must be reduced to writing and signed by the complainant in order for the Board to act upon it.

The Board of Ethics has the statutory duty to render an advisory opinion with respect to the interpretation and application of the Code of Ethics to all persons who seek advice as to whether a particular course of conduct would constitute a violation of the standards imposed by the Code of Ethics. The Board may also consider a request for an advisory opinion based upon hypothetical facts or circumstances. Advisory opinions of the Board are binding on the Board with regard to any subsequent complaint concerning the person who sought the opinion and acted in good faith based on that opinion, unless material facts were omitted or misstated in the request for the advisory opinion. Any person can request an advisory opinion concerning the interpretation and application not only of the Code of Ethics but also any other applicable ethical standards. A request for an advisory opinion must be in writing and signed by the requestor, and submitted in the same manner as a complaint. However, a request for an advisory opinion must be received at least ten (10) days in advance of a scheduled meeting to be considered at that meeting.

Open Comments

2011-09-06T10:19:00.000-04:00

Judge Ann Workman Dies

2011-09-04T22:39:00.002-04:00

Long time DeKalb County judge dies. Click here to read further.

DeKalb District Attorney Intiminated by Thugs, Drops Charges

2011-09-03T14:44:00.005-04:00

It seems our D.A. is easily intimidated by our resident thugs. During a recent court hearing, the defense attorney for a shooting thug, requested the names of the witnesses. In fear, the D.A. abruptly dropped the charges.

The insane reasoning is, the witnesses may become a victim of retaliation by the shooter. So rather than chance that, he let the shooter free to prey on other victims.

Sure, relation is more of problem now than in the past. Mainly because our courts refuse to hand out harsh punishment to those seeking retaliation.

Thanks to our District Attorney, our streets have become even more lawless.

Read more here.

Blast From The Past

2011-08-31T13:36:00.001-04:00

Wow, Wow, Wow, Now Wait Just a Minute! Are We Being Hoodwinked?

2011-08-30T22:50:00.004-04:00

Ms. Benita Ransom, can you explain something? According to your Buzz report, (the title alone speaks volumes) "Employees scheduled to work the holiday (but take the day off), will not get paid for holiday. Example: Employee regularly works four 10-hour days, one day is on the actual holiday, but worked 30 hours instead of 40."

So lets say an officer is lucky enough to take the day off (holiday, vacation), or becomes ill and takes a sick day. According to you, that officer only works 30 hours, so they will not be paid. Meaning, their check will be short 10 hours.

Continuing along the same line, are you are saying the entire command staff and their aides are only going to be paid 30 hours? Because you know as well as we do, there is no way in hell the command staff will work a holiday. So, they will only work 30 hours?

There you have it guys and girls. It may not effect all, but it's going to effect some. So while you are enjoying your day at the park or in the backyard with your family, mentally thanking your C.O. for letting you take the day off, remember, it's gonna cost you a days pay.

Of course none of this applies to the commissioners because hey, they get paid regardless.

Richard Elliott Of WSB Reports On Our Lost Hoidays, We're Not Sure Why

2011-08-30T20:58:00.005-04:00

Richard Elliott, whom we don't have a beef with, did a miserable job of questioning Burrell Ellis about our lost holiday pay. Of course Burrell gives the excuse that it is a balanced approach to solving the county's budget woes, and get this; it's fair!

Huh? Fair? Burrell Ellis and all the commissioners, each and every one, will still get paid holidays. Fair? Richard, how could you let Ellis slither away without asking him how he and the entire BOC can look the public in the eye while they take money from our pocket and put it in theirs?

Jeff Wiggs, the F.O.P. president says he wants a lot more information before he is willing to sign off on the lost holidays. What more information do you need Jeff? We are losing 3 paid holidays and the commissioners will still get their holiday pay.

Balanced approach? Fairness? We can't seem to find our citation book, we'll just have to write more warnings.

This is maddening!

The BOC Would Like To Thank Each and Every One of You For Your Dedication And Hard Work. Now, Go Write Tickets.

2011-08-26T13:31:00.006-04:00

Notice how this is directed at "10 Hour" employees. Who works 10 hour shifts? You got it, we do. Guess ol Bonita is playing "pay back."

Also "Contract employees/employees whose salaries are established legislatively in accordance with State law, salaries will remain unchanged", meaning Burrell and all the commissioners GET paid holidays.

So, where's our cake? More Kool-Aid anyone?

Who loves ya baby?!

HR BUZZ - Unfunded Holiday

Cop Shooter Arrested

2011-08-25T09:21:00.001-04:00

Michael Hughey, 37, was captured at the America's Best Value Inn and Suites hotel in Stockbridge about 3 a.m this morning.

Too bad he didn't have a gun in his hand.

Read more here.

Officer Shot During Traffic Stop

2011-08-24T10:49:00.001-04:00

An example of what can go very wrong when generating revenue for the likes of Sharon Sutton and the rest of the commissioners.

This time, we got lucky.
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Officer LaCoste Going Home

2011-08-24T10:43:00.002-04:00

Magic Bus Up For Auction

2011-08-22T09:32:00.000-04:00

A very sad and corrupt chapter in our department's history.

Services Announced For Retired Officer Norman Walker

2011-08-19T13:20:00.006-04:00

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday August 26, at 1:00 PM at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East Chapel, 4355 Lexington Road Athens, GA 30605.

Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM prior to the service.

Go in peace brother.

Sharon Barnes Sutton Failed To Disclose More Than $101,000 In Contributions To Her Campaigns In 2006 and 2008.

2011-08-18T23:07:00.001-04:00

For that, she agreed Friday to pay a $2,500 fine. We hope they don't accept checks.

Seriously, how much longer can she go without getting the attention of the State Attorney's office, or even the U.S. Justice Department. Oh wait, we take back the part of the Justice Department. Hell, the ATF is killing their own. But that's another story.

Click here to read Atlanta Unfiltered.

Open Comments

2011-08-18T08:48:00.001-04:00

Cash Cow

2011-08-17T16:12:00.001-04:00

Even-though the two words, cash and cow, are synonymous for Commissioner Sutton, it's actually how the commissioners view the taxpayers.

The commissioners want to borrow 125 million dollars. Not sure if it's to help cover the cost of Commissioner Sutton's eating and lodging habits, or the consulting fees for her friends, but regardless, the fix is in.

The person to over see this monstrosity was recommended by Burrell Ellis, who of course wants to skirt the bidding process. You already know the remaining commissioners will cave and allow the corruption to continue.

It's just down right laughable. It's just a matter of time and this county will financially implode.

Also see "Surprisingly low property values create questions in DeKalb."

Detroit Police To Cut Back On Alarm Response

2011-08-16T10:47:00.001-04:00

Not that the city of Detroit is the idea vacation destination, at least their chief of police has a forward thinking thought every once in a while.

Click here to read more.

Warren Mosbey's Facebook Page

2011-08-14T22:54:00.000-04:00

We requested to be Warren Mosbey's Facebook friend here.

Maybe you should too.

Warren Mosbey Is Our District Attorney's Campaign Manager Too

2011-08-12T09:52:00.002-04:00

Thanks to LoFlyer, we learn that Warren Mosbey and District Attorney Robert James are in on the fix.

This county is toast. It has evolved to third world politics beginning with the assassination of Derwin Brown. What else lays under the carpet?

How can our command staff look at us with a straight face and tell us "if you'll write more tickets. we'll get your 20 hours back."

Step up to the plate Wiz Miller and Bill O'Brien. Announce to the media that you have opened a criminal investigation of Sutton. Dare D.A. James to turn you away.

It is your job. You took an oath just like the rest of us.

Click here to read further

Cronyism, Nepotism, Take Your Pick, Either Are Corrupt

2011-08-11T22:01:00.008-04:00

Odds on, our District Attorney turns his head. More odds that our esteemed commission turn their head too.

How can they leave this despicable person on any committee, much less the public safety committee? She should be stripped of all committees. If need be, the governor needs to step in.

How can we, the police department, who swore an oath to uphold the laws, hold our heads up high when we work for such a corrupt commission?

This is out of control!

Commission Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

2011-08-10T15:14:00.002-04:00

2 separate links have be added to the left hand column so anyone can find the dates, agendas and minutes of each commission meeting.

Stay strong, stay united.

They're Doing It Again!

2011-08-09T00:05:00.003-04:00

Here we go again. While the commissioners are cutting our benefits and raising our pension contributions by 100, they create a job for one of their own, and then give them a yearly pay raise over 13 percent, RETROACTIVE!

The disgust!

The two cowards, Burrell Ellis and Dick Stogner refuse to comment on this hideous decision. One reason is because they are in on the fix, and the other is Morris Williams' argument doesn’t hold water.

For once in this woman’s life, Sharon Barnes needs to step up and do the right thing. She needs to tell her "aide" she made a mistake, and for the good of the county and the police department, she should resend the job offer. But then again, some people, especially Sharon Barnes, just don't know how to do the right thing. To her, thievery is the right thing.

The board of commissioners as a whole need to speak out against this and stop it now! Don't they see how this effects the morale of the very ones that keep them safe at night?

With this kind of action, this type of immoral act, the commissioners expect us to swallow the return of our 20 hours of holiday pay that was taken away, and be grateful. Why don't the commissioners just attend each roll call and just spit in our faces? Same differance.

The command staff is delusional if they think that giving our 20 hours of holiday pay would make us all just dandy.

You know, sometimes you just gotta step up and take one for the team.

Stay strong, stay united.

Sorry Folks, But 20 Hours Of Paid Holiday Time Just Doesn’t Get It

2011-08-07T20:58:00.011-04:00

Over the past couple of years, the commission has chosen to substantially reduce our pay, benefits and pension. They went as far as to force us to work for no pay.

Our choice of health insurance carriers was reduce to two, yet our premiums increased 15 percent. Our retirees health insurance was increased by 40 percent! This in the name of saving money for the taxpayers. But, the county over spent 5 million dollars on health insurance anyway.

We had a very good pension that we paid into. At the time, after 30 years of service, we could retire at 82.5 percent of our salary. Now the commission has changed it to 62 percent of our salary, and we can't draw it until we are 62. Now they are going to increase our monthly contributions by 66 100 percent! They are in hopes, with a preconceived plan, that paying into the pension fund will be too costly for the average police officer working the streets, and will choose to drop out of the pension plan.

In addition, the commissioners yelled “the sky is falling”, that the citizens would be left with no police or fire protection if property taxes were not raised. They also claimed the county credit rating would be worsened because the county had no cash reserves. So the commission passed a 26 percent hike in property taxes. Now we learn Burrell Ellis flat out lied. He wants to dip into the replenished cash reserve for spending, and fill 644 open positions throughout the county. A Georgia State study from last year showed DeKalb has twice as many workers as similar-size counties and called for cutting at least 900 jobs. Burrell's mental stability has to be called into question.

Burrell Ellis and the commissioners take us for fools. We have to admit, so far they are right. Last year we crippled the county to the tune of 5 million dollars because of Ellis and his antics of handing out huge pay raises to his staff, while we were being forced to work for no pay. So they furloughed us and we went back to work.

To show their gratitude, they take away 20 hours of our holiday pay. Can you say suckers!? We threatened to strike again. Knowing how powerful our strike can be, and the potential for loss revenues, the county seems poised to give our 20 hours back. And we are supposed to be grateful?! According to Chief O'Brien and F.O.P President Jeff Wages, yes.

Well, thanks for nothing!

Do the commissioners and the chief of police really want to put and an end to this? They can. It's really simple. Stop using the backs, blood and lives of police officers as a revenue generating source. The police are persons empowered to enforce the law, protect property and reduce civil disorder, not tax the citizenry! Has our entire command staff loss sight of this?

First and foremost, stop the corruption within our county government. What happened to the 60 million dollars in uncollected fines? What happened to the 50 million dollars missing from Recorders Court? Where is the uncollected business license fees between 5-7 million dollars? That’s nearly 120 million dollars that is missing!

Chief O'Brien, we have a question: Are you neglect in your duties for not opening a criminal investigation into all this missing money? No one has explained what happened to all this money. So, where is it? At the bottom of a ticket book?

Worthy Cause, Hope To See You There!

2011-08-05T22:57:00.001-04:00

Commissioner Boyer would like to invite you to the DeKalb Fire Rescue & Police fundraiser at the Blue Ribbon Grill next Monday, 8/8/11 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM. 15% of the proceeds from all meals served will be donated to a memorial for the front of the Public Safety Headquarters. The memorial will house a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.

The memorial will be unveiled as a part of the 10^th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony being held:

Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011

Time: 8AM

Location: DeKalb County Public Safety Complex

West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA
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If you are unable to attend but would like to donate to the fund, please visit: www.dekalb911memorial.wordpress.com.

Please circulate to any neighborhood email lists that you may have. Additional information on both events is attached.

Thank you so much for your support of DeKalb’s Fire & Police Departments. Hope to see you next Monday!

Courtney Townsend

Commissioner Elaine Boyer, District One

Senior Policy Advisor/Constituent Services

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

404-371-2844

ctownsend@dekalbcountyga.gov

Retired 911 Operator David Brittion Dies

2011-08-05T22:49:00.000-04:00

Retired 911 Operator David Britton died early today. He will be cremated and a graveside memorial service will be held in Columbus, Georgia at a future date.

Go in peace brother.

How The Threat Of A Traffic Ticket Slowdown Has Gotten The Attention Of The Powers That Be!

2011-08-03T16:54:00.003-04:00

We'll see.

(Post title compliments of Loflyer)