The resulting, slimmer public safety staffs will have slower response times, said Carroll Wills, a spokesman for California Professional Firefighters, a labor union that represents 30,000 emergency responders.
“Those situations where seconds count — we will lose minutes and that’s a dangerous thought for public safety,” Wills said.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League was also critical of the plan, which calls for the early release of 27,000 inmates from state prisons to help cut the expenses of California’s Department of Corrections.
That move could put dangerous criminals back onto the streets, League President Paul Weber said in a statement.
“The fact is that California officials that are jeopardizing public safety, as the overall costs and risks far outweigh any initial savings to the Department of Corrections budget,” Weber said.
Livid county and city officials have fired threats toward state representatives.
Los Angeles County supervisors are preparing to sue California if the Legislature approves the budget deal, and Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird vowed to put local lawmakers on the spot if they supported the plan.
“If they vote on this package, I will put signs on our streets identifying them as responsible for the cracks and the potholes that are going to appear as a result of their irresponsible action,” Starbird said.
Glendale is expecting to lose about $19.5 million because of the cuts, which will dramatically affect its ability to serve residents, Starbird said.
“Anybody who votes for this package should be pilloried at the local level,” he said “This budget is irresponsible.”
