Police and firefighters taking hit across N.J.

When Camden announced last week that it could lay off nearly half of its police officers and a third of its firefighters next month, the news was surprising only in its scope.

After years of cutting in other areas of government and trimming police and fire departments through attrition, cities throughout New Jersey recently have announced a striking number of layoffs in public-safety workers as municipal leaders seek to fill budget gaps created by lower-than-expected revenue.

In late November, Newark laid off 167 police officers, or about 13 percent of its department. The city also cut 130 firefighter positions through attrition this year.

Atlantic City has laid off 60 police officers and 30 firefighters in 2010, although it recently rehired 17 officers after others retired and the union agreed to givebacks.

Some mayors say they are taking extraordinary measures to ensure public safety. In Camden, Mayor Dana L. Redd has asked the fire and police unions for contract concessions that would reduce layoffs. The city also has started discussions with Pennsauken to handle firefighting in one part of Camden, according to Redd and Pennsauken Mayor Rick Taylor.

In Jersey City, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy is seeking givebacks from police and firefighters to prevent laying off 82 police officers.

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack has announced that he would be able to save 61 fire positions and 111 police jobs, in part through the aid of grants.

Suburban towns have not been spared and, in many cases, were hit even earlier. Cherry Hill laid off six police officers in June, Collingswood let go three firefighters in 2009, and Winslow Township cut eight police officers last year.

James Ryan, a spokesman for the state Police Benevolent Association, which represents 32,000 members, estimated that the number of municipal police officers in New Jersey declined 11 percent between Jan. 1, 2009, and Sept. 19, 2010, mainly through attrition.

For firefighters, the situation in New Jersey "is the worst that we've seen it anywhere," said Dominick Marino, president of the state's Professional Firefighters Association, which represents about 3,300 members.

"We are not blind to the economic woes and what's happening in the state and in the country," Marino said. "But firefighting - public safety - is different."

"A phone call can be returned tomorrow, or three hours later," he said. "When the bell rings, we can't say, 'Listen, we'll get back to you this afternoon or tomorrow.' "