Layoff day for Camden

It’s a dark day for Camden, N.J. Today the city plans to layoff about 400 workers. Nearly half of them are police officers and firefighters.

 

Mayor Dana Redd said concessions from the Police and Fire unions could save jobs.

“I can assure you that today’s layoffs did not occur because of lack of effort on this Administration’s part,” said Redd. “They occurred because Police and Fire decided to stay with the status quo.”

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Camden’s Police Chief said he’ll work to keep the city safe after the layoffs go into effect.

Many residents and public safety workers said they doubt a city that slashes its’ police force nearly in half, can stay safe.

Rutgers employee Lisa Long said the layoffs are horrible.

“I was born and raised here so I know the city: you just stay out of the riff raff and you’ll be okay,” Long said. “But if the riff raff come find you, that’s a whole different story.”

Camden faces a $26.5 million budget gap.

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