Pittsfield Township public safety director lays out case for police and fire millage
When a vandal spray-painted numerous properties along Crane and Carpenter roads in January, the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety turned to its community patrol unit to root out a possible suspect. Through relationships cultivated in the community, police were able to identify a suspect within weeks. Prosecutors are currently reviewing the case for possible charges.
The personal interaction and relationship building that helped officers investigate that case is at risk without an increase in public safety dollars, Director Matt Harshberger told members of the Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees and the public Wednesday night. Voters will be asked to support a renewal of and proposed increase in the township's public safety millage May 3. The current 1.0 mill levy for public safety expires in 2012. The township is asking voters to replace it with a 1.95-mill tax.
Without passage of a millage request, cuts to police and fire services will be needed, Pittsfield Township officials say.
The board approved the wording for the millage request last month, about a week before the deadline to submit ballot proposals to the state. Voters will also decide police and fire millages in Dexter Township, a police protection millage in Northfield Township, a fire millage in Sharon Township, and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s special education millage on the May ballot.
Harshberger began his appeal to the public with a 20-minute-long presentation Wednesday night and will deliver the same message at a series of public forums beginning March 22.
“Our main goal is to maintain our current level of service in this difficult economy, which won’t be possible without this,” Harshberger said. Plummeting property values have decreased the amount coming in from tax revenue, while population growth has created an increased demand for services, he said. Interest revenues alone on township bank accounts have fallen sharply from $798,583 in 2007, to $13,332 last year, Harshberger said. State revenue sharing has declined by roughly $1 million since 2000, and nearly half of the township’s general fund balance was used to pay for land purchases between 2006 and 2008.
This year, the current public safety millage will support 33 positions in police, fire and dispatch. The millage covered five officers and a community coordinator position in 2003. But at that time the Public Safety Department enjoyed support from the township’s general fund, which is no longer feasible in current economic conditions, township officials say.
Harshberger said the department’s operating budget for this year is roughly $7.9 million, 88 percent of which is tied to salaries and benefits. Last year, most public safety personnel agreed to zero-percent wage increases for four years during contract negotiations. The department has not filled four vacant positions, ranging from dispatcher to deputy fire commander, collectively saving $182,789 this year.
Harshberger said the average cost per officer is $110,291, which includes salary and benefits, all overhead and overtime. That is less than other townships pay for Washtenaw County sheriff’s protection, and even if passed, Pittsfield would still be among the lowest public safety millage rates countywide, officials said.
Trustee Gerald Krone asked what would happen if the millage failed. Harshberger said the township would have to start a dialogue with stakeholders to determine new expectations for service.
Mandy Grewal
“There will be layoffs. Service cuts and layoffs,” she said. Neither would detail the cuts, but fire fighting, road patrol and special units would all be impacted, Harshberger said. None of the roughly two dozen people in attendance specifically addressed the millage request during the meeting. But some said the public forums need to be more informative, if not more convincing.
“It doesn’t seem too outrageous, but I didn’t come here with all the facts and still don’t know all the details,” said Pat Lennington.
The forums are scheduled for:
- March 22 at the Pittsfield Branch of Ann Arbor District Library at 6:30 p.m.
- March 24, 6:30-8 p.m., at Carpenter Elementary School, 4250 Central Blvd.
- April 14, 6:30-8 p.m., at Harvest Elementary School, 155 Campus Parkway.
- April 17, 1-3 p.m., at the Pittsfield Township Open House.
- April 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Pittsfield Township Parks and Seniors Building, 701 Ellsworth Road.
A website with more information on the millage is now up at http://www.pittsfield-mi.gov/public-safety-millage.html.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Scot Mathison
Sun, Jun 19, 2011 : 2:06 a.m.
The mayor is quoted saying, "allowing the police chief room to decide who receives a promotion outside of test results was good for the process and that the policy wouldn't change." I am concerned that the city will be in another lawsuit the next time another police officer is passed up for promotion. Don't you think there could be other ways to promote someone? If you leave the decision up to the Police Chief, don't you think you will find yourself, the city, & the taxpayers of the city, in another lawsuit exactly like this one? How many times does the Ypsilanti Police Department have to settle lawsuits because of discrimination? How many times is too many? When is the discrimination going to end? The mayor thinks the settlement was reasonable? You think that giving the decision up to a police chief is a good idea? The former police chief made a decision that cost $162,500. Ok, so the money doesn't exactly come from the general fund, but the fact is that Former Police Chief Matt Harshberger made a $162,500 mistake. Those decisions should not be left up to one person and decisions that cost that kind of money should not be taken lightly. I don't appreciate discrimination & I don't appreciate the fact that the mayor of Ypsilanti is going to sit back and not do anything after settling a $162,500 lawsuit. It's time to step up to the plate Mayor and do the right thing. Don't give all the power to the Police Chief & put an end to discrimination in the Ypsilanti Police Department. Make test scores and seniority the only factors in determining who is promoted.
organizer
Sat, Mar 12, 2011 : 3:26 a.m.
One thing to keep in mind if the millage does not pass is your insurance rates . Insurance companies use a ISO rating in calculating your premiums . ISO's expert staff collects information about municipal fire protection efforts in communities . In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a public protection classification (PPTCM) a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 is superior property fire protection, and class 10 indicates that the erea's fire suppression program does not meet ISO's minimum criteria. All U.S. insurers of homes and business property use ISO's public protection classification in calculating your insurance premiums. The price of fire insurance in a community with good PPC is SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER than in a community with a poor PPC , so with that in mind the cost of your insurance premium will go up a lot more than it will cost for this millage. This is a fact from my sister who just happens to be a insurance agent , she thought she should pass that along to me so i thought i would share it with you , I am voting yes.
C. S. Gass
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 3:17 a.m.
"nearly half of the township's general fund balance was used to pay for land purchases between 2006 and 2008"--That was unforgivably stupid, I don't care why the purchases were made, it's unjustifyable. I don't want my Township Government buying land for anything, unless they're going to build a new Police or Fire station, and I know it wasn't for that. That being said, the Pittsfield Twp. PD is awsome. I'm glad we have them in the numbers we do. Police and Fire protection is the one thing I DO want out of government. It's one of the few things that government does well, and the people of Pittsfield Twp. PD, exceptionally so. I'll be voting in favor.
joe
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 3:10 a.m.
The millage information posted on the township's website is well presented - nice work Pittsfield! Sorry Omega Man, but I think the township is being up front with the millage information for all residents to know. Not sure why you think numbers lie? It really is simple math! A logical choice is to vote YES on May 3.
snoopdog
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 3:08 a.m.
Harshberger said : "Our main goal is to maintain our current level of service in this difficult economy, which won't be possible without this," What he really means: We will almost double the taxes you pay to maintain the current level of services in this difficult economy and this will allow me to keep my big fat health benefits and pension fully funded by the taxpayers so I can retire after 30 years of service with a big fat pension and healthcare till God takes me home. Good Day
Pitts Res
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 3:25 a.m.
Any increase in the millage is there to off set the decrease in revenue due the decreased property values. My tax bill has decreased far more than $95 in the last few years. So, while I may be paying a higher milage rate for public safety, my overall tax bill has decreased. I'm voting yes.
AACity12
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
So how are you going to feel when all your police are in Ann Arbor dealing with their crime and there are no police left in pittsfield to come when you need them after a consolidation? How are you going to feel when all the Pittsfield Firetrucks are in Ypsi City fighting fires and there are no firefighters left in Pittsfield to come when you need them after a consolidation? Not that I am anti-consolidation but there are some big cons to it. When the people that Pittsfield pays to work in Pittsfield are off working for someone else it could be an issue.
Stylery
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
Any effective public safety operation needs weapons, uniforms, police cars, fire trucks, hoses, etc.
Omega Man
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 2:07 a.m.
The website township has to explain this is smoke and mirrors .- why confuse a tax increase for fire and police by telling me about the wages you pay the other people that work in the building next door for the treasurer and supervisor? Got it now - $7.9 million for public safety in 2010. 70% of that money goes to wages/ benefits for seventy two employees. Employees are up 22% in the last 10 years. The millage words say "capital requirements" - that word is buildings or machinery. Just be straight with us.
Ktruth
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
Omega Man, your math is wrong. The Township website says total personnel of 72. The 33 is the number of employees paid for with the existing millage and I would assume is the number that will be laid off as indicated in the article if this vote does not pass. $110,291 is a much better number than the numbers that AnnArbor.com reported on the cost of the Sheriff-"Washtenaw County committee says true cost of sheriff's deputy is $176,108" (<a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/board-of-commissioners-consider-police-services-steering-committee-recommendation-on-policing-costs)">http://www.annarbor.com/news/board-of-commissioners-consider-police-services-steering-committee-recommendation-on-policing-costs)</a>. Almost $66k difference. So it looks to me that consolidation or going to the County Sheriff makes no financial sense. Also the millage language in the Township website does not say it is for any building. I believe it would then be illegal if they use this millage money for a building that was not covered in the millage language.
Stylery
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 1:18 a.m.
Omega Man, you need to finish reading the article. It sends you to the website with all the information already there. The 33 people you see mentioned in the article are all that the current millage fund can support. The general fund has been covering the shortfall with the rest of the people. Two funds. One millage, one general fund. <a href="http://www.pittsfield-mi.gov/public-safety-millage.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.pittsfield-mi.gov/public-safety-millage.html</a>
joe
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 1:03 a.m.
Omega Man, I just check the public safety website: (<a href="http://pittsfield-mi.gov/dps.html)" rel='nofollow'>http://pittsfield-mi.gov/dps.html)</a> and your figures or calculations are incorrect. Take a look at the organizational chart because the total number of employees exceed 33 positions, its more like 70-80 full time employees, and the 110K figure is CORRECT. Save your time Art, it looks the department included every employee in the budget to get the most accurate number. I am still voting YES!
Omega Man
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.
Art Aisner: you MUST question the numbers that the township is quoting. If 88 percent of the public safety annual budget is salaries/benefits, then each person that works for public safety is costing the township $210,667 annually. That includes dispatch, everybody. I'm a democrat and I think an average like that is over the top.
John Spelling
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 11:06 p.m.
Say no any millage that funds a defined pension. This madness just has to stop.
Omega Man
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
I am NOT in support of more millage money for 3 reasons: #1 Math is totally wrong! - each person in public safety AVERAGES $210,667. In 2010, $7.9 million - 88 % goes to salaries/benefits. My simple calculator shows this is $6.962 million, divide that by 33 positions and you get a number alot bigger than the $110K they are claiming. (hey thats only off about $100K!) #2 Pittsfield is not being honest about what the double taxes are going for - I heard it was to add on to the main building. #3 Audit on their website shows Public safety was spending 4.6 million in 2000 and in 2010 the same department is spending almost $8 million!!! Pittsfield needs to be honest, put the finances back in the minutes so people can see what is being really being spent. The audits show Public
Pitts Res
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 3:16 a.m.
Pittsfield has 78 full-time employees in their public safety department. That is how they got the cost per employee they are posting.
bob
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
If you post a formula for the per officer cost please be sure to include a comparison to other area departments. I would like to see how Pittsfield compares to Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County and maybe Canton. Thanks
Justice4all
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 7:57 p.m.
I understand needing to pass a millage, but doing it by playing fast with the numbers... Art, could you please show the formula for the per officer cost?
Driven
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.
Does anyone have access to the millage expenditures for the past few years? What happened to the new station that's been promised to be purchased with millage money? Aren't we supposed to be paying for all wages out of the general fund by now? I seem to remember a gradual moving of personnel to the general fund. I'd be very interested to know what has happened to the money paid in the past. Not to minimize the land purchase in any way, but I understood that the township's rainy day fund, which was so carefully saved by administrations long past, was used for at least a portion of that cost. A simple comparison between the 2009, 2010, and 2011 budget line items for general fund as well as millage accounts, may give an indication.
Basic Bob
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
I just want to add that all my experiences with the Pittsfield police and fire departments have been positive. I don't have any issues with the public safety department. But we pay township taxes which used to cover the expenses, and now they don't anymore. Pittsfield residents are being threatened with the loss of necessary services without consideration of the loss of property value and belt-tightening that we have all undertaken. Fiscal responsibility from the supervisor on down should be demonstrated if they hope for the millage to pass.
dconkey
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 5:34 p.m.
To dmh52, as a resident of Pittsfield TWP, the LAST thing I want is our police and fire departments part of anything A2 or any other government entity and the politics that come along with it. That said, a 95% percent increase is a huge jump. I won't be getting anything close to that in an increase in my pay this year.
yourdad
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
I didn't see anywhere that they said any DPS employees were getting a raise. If you look at the value of a dollar from 2000 and compare it to what is forcasted in the coming years, you can certainly understand that it is gonna cost more to simply keep the current system in place. I don't live in Pittsfield but when I have had a need for their services, it has been very professional and way friendlier than those county deputies. If they can do it like they do for so much less, maybe the rest of the county should just ask them how.
dmh52
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
It works well throughout the country....why not here? Look at miami-dade FL one of the first to consolidate and one of the best in the country. County wide is the way to go....and yeah as if there is no "politics" already in Pittsfield.
voter
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 5:02 p.m.
This was in response to Basic Bob and it got deleted. How did this, in responding to the last line of putting blame on the previous adminstatration: The previous adminstration depleted the general fund by purchasing land (Pittsfield Preserve) for $14,000,000.00 including interest for something that was appraised at $7,000.000.00. Other purchases were made after that. That is when most of the general fund went, Violate this? Why was the comment removed? Just responded to the above. AnnArbor.com aims to provide a lively community forum where readers can talk to us and talk to each other - in a neighborly way, of course. The best comments and posts are those that add more information to the story, express a different viewpoint or help create intelligent debate. We welcome constructive debate on our site, but we won't tolerate jerks. Don't be that guy - avoid comments or posts that are off topic, offensive, contain personal attacks or that don't further the conversation. We encourage everyone who registers on our site to use their real name, or at least a consistent screen name. We reserve the right to pre-moderate comments and delete or edit comments.
Rich Rezler
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
@voter: As noted, your comment was removed while we verified the claims made within it. The actual purchase price in April 2002 was $11.3 million. Interest rates and appraised value are not immediately available.
Cindy Heflin
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
A comment was removed while we attempt to verify claims made in it.
PittsfieldTwp
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
We should replace the expired, but at twice the price? Its likely we will have two new big box retailers built in this township soon. That combined with the other AA.com article today that mentions predicted job growth in Washtenaw, it would seem a lower price initiative has a better chance of passing.
joe
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Good point dmh52, I think with Pittsfield Township being the center of Washtenaw County, it only makes sense to have Pittsfield start the regional plan to consolidate services. Heck, at $110K per PSU, what a bargain! Consolidation leads to better service delivery. So why isn't Pittsfield offering police/fire services/911 to other townhsips, cities? I will vote YES on May 3, the price works for me!!
yourdad
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.
Hey Snoop (or is it Stun), instead of speculating why the "chief" takes home a vehicle, try asking him. I can't seem to find a fire chief on the website so I am assuming that you have some neighborly insite that you could share with us. I did see that the other chiefs in Washtenaw county have personal vehicles. Besides, isn't York just south of Pittsfield? Doesn't seem very far to me. Have a nice day!
shaggy
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
snoopdog, common sense would suggest that the Chief would be able to take home his Dept. vehicle with "lights and lettering all over it" in order to respond in a timely manner to any incident that may arise while he is out of the office. Also, I would find it hard to believe tht there is no equipment aboard said vehicle.
snoopdog
Fri, Mar 11, 2011 : 3:17 a.m.
how bout you get the chief to quit driving the Townships Ford Excursion home every day at lunch time to pick up his mail in York Township ? Lights and lettering all over it and not a single piece of fire equipment aboard. That is taxpayer gas money ( 10 mpg). What a joke ! Good Day
Rusnak
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
No one likes an increase in taxes but, at least if you live in Pittsfield Twp. you have a firehouse that's staffed not like A2.
dmh52
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
My answer to the Public Safety Director is consolidate. We don't need seperate fire departments in Pittsfield Twp., Saline, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti Township! The same applies to the duplication of area police agencies. Stop wasting our money, I'll be voting no in May.
johnnya2
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
Many reasons why this does not make sense. Different laws (each city and township has specific laws and rules. How will this regional force be broken down when UM has a football game or Ann Arbor has Art fair? It always cracks me up when the right wing wants the feds out of their business, but then want a centralized police force. How about we just have one giant state or national police force?
joe
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
Good point dmh52, I think with Pittsfield Township being the center of Washtenaw County, it only makes sense to have Pittsfield start the regional plan to consolidate services. Heck, at $110K per PSU, what a bargain! Consolidation leads to better service delivery. So why isn't Pittsfield offering police/fire services/911 to other townhsips, cities? I will vote YES on May 3, the price works for me!!
Basic Bob
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 2 p.m.
I feel bad for Matt Harshberger, getting the passage of this millage hung around his neck. The problem is that the township administration does not consider that safety could be paid from the general fund. That is their money to hand out as raises and paid to the supervisor, clerk, treasurer, deputy supervisor, deputy clerk, deputy treasurer, and numerous directors. Cost cutting should start here, rather than affecting direct services to the community. It is also misleading to blame the previous administration for spending half of the general fund balance (surplus), while not mentioning that the remaining half has been spent in the same amount of time.
bob
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
Are you saying that there is no fund balance? What has the remaining half been spent on?
Townie
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
If you receive the Pittsfield Nixle crime summary you'll find that a very significant portion of the police department's time is devoted to retail store crime (shoplifting, etc.). As more and more stores, esp. large ones like Costco move into the township it's only going to go up. So why doesn't the township institute some sort of tax on the businesses who generate all this police work? Opps, I forgot - in the present environment corporations and businesses don't have to pay for anything, just taxpayers. If corporations are getting $1.8 billion in new taxes cuts from our governor then they ought to start paying for the services they receive.
Rusnak
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
Hello? If you tax a business where do you think they get the funds? The customer.
joe
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
As a resident of Pittsfield, I strongly support the new millage. The choice is simple, safety is #1...
bearlab
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.
We have had excellent response from the Pittsfield Police. They have a very tough job in an area that has many challenges but have always been very approachable and very professional. I would vote yes
ksr48
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
Also have to agree with Therese: public safety folks deserve good benefits, and theirs seem very reasonable (and far less costly than the rest of the county). If you have someone who has to stare down a weapon on the other side, wrestle down a violent drunk intent on hurting you, or stop domestic violence or thefts, then I want to make certain this person gets good health care. They will be needing it more than I do. I like how the unions stepped up to %0 salary increases in their last contracts. Gives me more respect for them. Things seem to have gotten much better after Matt Harshberger has come on board. Nice job Pittsfield!!
ksr48
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
As a township resident the last service I want touched is public safety. Everything else comes secondary to my family's safety. Makes perfect sense that if the tax revenues have been going down and Snyder wants to eliminate revenue sharing, more resources are needed to maintain current services. This township seems to just be asking residents the basic question: DO you want the same services or not? If not, then we will reduce them. Fairly straight forward. But crime levels and response times will go up if the services are cut. Simple math and economics. You can't provide the service if the funding isn't there. I do like how Pittsfield is far less costly than other governments. Ypsilanti charges 3.5 mils for its police services!!?? Ouch. We have been getting quite a bargain. Good to see when an independent 3rd party comes in and reviews the books and says you are doing a great job: <a href="http://www.pittsfield-mi.gov/bondrating.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.pittsfield-mi.gov/bondrating.html</a>
Therese
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.
If anyone deserves a pension and benefit package it is a public safety worker. As a small business owner, I have neither, but that is my choice. I've called upon Pittsfield Township police as couple of times this year and for $0.54 / day is a bargain. Their staff is very well trained and professional.
bob
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
88% of the budget is tied to salaries & benefits.....In a police department I would think this is GOOD. It means the budget $$ are not being squandered on buildings & equipment but being put right into manpower. Manpower is where I want my police dollars spent.
Gorc
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.
I would consider voting for the milage increase if the township eliminated pensions and replaced them with defined contribution plans for all their public employees. If this is not done, overtime we will have a perpetual expense that will continue to grow out of control. Just look at the the City of Ann Arbor as an example, they are experiencing budget issues today due to legacy cost.
johnnya2
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
I am sick and tired of the lie that a pension is a bad thing. The police and firefighters take LESS money to have a GUARANTEE in the future. If the government and employers properly funded them, instead of passing the cost down the line there would be no problem. How about the city do what the UM does and hire a person to invest this money and make a large enough return to fund the pensions.
BornNRaised
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
Shows your lack of knowledge of the facts. Ann Arbor ALWAYS ends the year with a surplus.
voter
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Right we all make choices and you could have make the choice for lower pay with good benefits, worked weekends, holidays and midnights for what you believe to be a gravy train. They took no raise through the end of the contract (2014). Thats was a 5 year contract. It is on line if you wish to look it up. Why don't you post your contract on line and let everyone look at it.
voter
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
If you look at there contract, which is public unlike the private secter, you will see that the employee in the road patrol pay over 6% to their pension and command almost 10% towards their pension while the Township puts in 5%. The pension fund is paid is secured by MERS which is not run by the Township. In a defined contribution the employer contributes matching funds. I don't know how much but at U of M it is $2 for every $1 the employee puts in. I don't know the max but if it is 5% then it doesn't cost the employer any more for the current plan.
dmh52
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
great point!
braggslaw
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
This is not about public safety.... it is about pensions, salaries and benefits. 88% of the budget is tied to salaries and benefits.
johnnya2
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
As well it should be You need to pay people to do jobs. I suppose you think you just pull laid off auto workers to become police officers and firemen? How about a few high school drop outs? maybe the cook at McDonalds or the greeter at Wal Mart is prepped to fight fires. Is your position that a little over 100k is too much to pay police and fire?
braggslaw
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
That is an emotional response to a fiscal issue. We all make choices in life. I don't think Pittsfield is a hotbed of criminal activity and even if it was, market realities still exist. I am sure that short order cooks, taxi drivers, barbers etc. all have similar beefs with their professions.
Ignatz
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
Do you expect these people to put their lives on the line for free?