I received the following comment today at 10:11 :
“Change of subject - I see the Peace officers wrote
tickets to the tune of 13,442 in the month of November. All traffic violations.
They did some bylaw work but I do not see any major clean up going on. 2
things come to mind. I think that they would have to write tickets to the tune
of about 17,000/month to break even and probably even more. So I think we are
losing money and not getting any major clean up done. Secondly, I think it will
only get harder to continue to generate these revenues. The locals already know
where the speed traps are and it is only a matter of time before almost
everyone else knows too.”
This appears to be a reflection of what I am hearing around
town, first unless somebody can prove otherwise I see no evidence of any major
or for that matter minor clean up.
The second comment regarding revenue of $13,442 in November
and the remark that it will take about $17,000 a month to break even and
probably even more? It will be more much more let me throw some numbers at you.
First CP Officer Rate of pay Jan 1/2013 $31.68 per hour x
2080 hours a year (40hrs 52 wks) $65,894.
Second Peace Officer rate of pay is not in the collective
agreement but being a sergeant he is probably making at least $4 a hour more so
$35.68 x 2080 hours a year $74,214.
Wages alone come to $140,108 then factor in an additional 5%
for overtime that number becomes $147,113.
Now let us talk about benefits the municipality allows 25% on
top of wages to cover the cost of benefits provided to the employees in the
collective agreement. $147,113 x 25% = $36,778.
Already we are at $183,899
Let’s talk about the trucks $130,000 to buy them and rig them
all out if you amortize that over four years, you know by then most of the
equipment they have in their trucks will need replacing at it will be obsolete.
Another $32,500 a year.
Fuel they have to be spending a $1000 a month on each vehicle,
$24,000 a year.
Registration/Insurance $3,000 a year.
Cell phones $200 a month $2,400 a year.
Clerical support even allowing 5 hours a week at $30 per hour
$7,800 per year.
Up grading, training, certifications have to be at least
$5,000 per year.
Summary
Wages + Benefits $183,899
Trucks + up keep $32,500
Fuel $24,000
Reg/Insurance $3,000
Phones $2,400
Clerical support $7,800
Training
$5,000
Total $258,599
divided by 12 months $21,550 per month.
I am sure I have not captured all the costs here, what will
it cost to fight these tickets in court? I am sure not everybody is going to
just right a check.
Then to the reader’s last comment about getting harder to
generate that level of revenue, your right the locals have figured out where
the speed traps are. In addition, keep in mind these Peace Officers are CUPE
members which means they will be taking an average of 4 weeks off next year,
which will mean less revenue again.
