Calif. police union fights budget cuts with billboards advertising blood splatter, murder rate

CA city’s police union fights layoffs with signs

STOCKTON, Calif. — A police officers union in a California city is fighting budget cuts with a series of billboard signs welcoming visitors “to the 2nd most dangerous city” in the state.

A billboard paid for by the Stockton Police Officers Association went up Saturday. It appears to be splattered with blood and reads: “Welcome to the 2nd most dangerous city in California — Stop laying off cops.”

Another billboard says the murder rate is up and the “body count” is 24.

Union president Steve Leonesio says it plans to spend about $20,000 for more than 20 billboards.

The union is fighting the city’s proposal to lay off 53 officers to help close a projected $23 million general fund deficit.

Council members say layoffs are needed to balance the budget without concessions from the police and fire unions.

Information from: The Record, www.recordnet.com/