Fort Pierce Budget Cuts

The City of Fort Pierce, like most cities in Florida, facing a tough budget year. Every department is being asked to cut its spending.

The Fort Pierce Police Chief was asked to cut $1.4 million out of his costs. That means a lot of necessary services and jobs. One area that is on the chopping block, a police sub-station in a high-crime area of Fort Pierce.

The sub-station has helped deter crime for nearly 8 years. On a daily basis, 45 men and woman work out of the building. If it had to go, officers say the community would suffer.

This isn't the only item on the chief's list. Included: a reduction of animal control officers and 20% reduction in investigative staff. That would leave 800 crimes a year uninvestigated.

Chief Sean Baldwin says he doesn't want to make these cuts, but he was told he had to cut 1.4 million dollars. With rising fuel prices and already agreeing not to buy anymore squad cars next year, there was no were else to cut. He says, "There's nothing acceptable about this budget proposal. It is ridiculous is what it is and I hope we can work with the Commission."

Commissioners agree these proposals are ridiculous too. Both sides hope to work together to not have to make such drastic cuts. Nothing is final yet, all of this just a proposal.

The chief says if he has to chop services and cut employees, Fort Pierce will suffer and crime could go right back up.