I wonder what’s been happening in Los Angeles, because the media seems to have dropped that story. The Dude sent me this interesting piece a couple of days ago –
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/cost-restoring-order-los-angeles
“The Overtime Epidemic – The City of Los Angeles is no stranger to excessive overtime pay. Open the Books reported last year that 20 city employees earned at least $300,000 in overtime pay in 2023. That’s before even factoring in their base salaries.“
At last the dirty little secret is out in the open.
But overtime costs reached new heights in 2024, with the city spending a record $1.1 billion on extra hours. That’s enough money to pay off the city’s entire budget deficit. In overtime alone, five people earned more than the $400,000 salary we pay the President of the United States.
Oh yeah – how about Butte County? Here’s a post I did last fall when they were telling us they needed more sales tax money –
Another claim the city of Chico and the county of Butte are constantly making is that they are short of public safety employees. This next paragraph has played out in agendas from both the city and county over the past 5 years. Early retires (cops and fire are allowed to retire with their highest year’s salary at age 50) exacerbate the staff and budget shortages, followed by the usual poormouth claim that we need more money to pay more staff higher salaries. So (bust a snicker) we can “attract good candidates...”
Hey, that’s not working! Our public safety employees are still self-important entitled assholes who put their own safety ahead of the people they are supposed to serve. Now they’re OVERPAID self-important entitle assholes, and that just makes them bigger assholes. And, as explained in the next paragraph, it puts our city and our town, and our entire state, farther back in the financial shitter.
“A revenue pinch amid Covid lockdowns led to a spate of early retirements that have exacerbated the need for extra-hours pay. And as the Los Angeles Police Department faces rioting, the force’s ranks are at their smallest in two decades—but the payroll is still growing.“
Folks, that’s why they call them PIGS. Ever watched a pig eat? Well, right now, we’re watching our local law enforcement eat us out of house and home.
LA is screwed.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-taxpayers-foot-millions-peaceful-anti-ice-protests
The violent and destructive Los Angeles anti-ICE protests cost taxpayers $32 million, according to a report by the city budget chief.
Controller Kenneth Mejia posted the figures on X, detailing what the money from local taxpayers will be funding. City taxpayers are on the hook for emergency services, cleanup and public property damage, all stemming from the protests that turned into riots, according to Mejia’s post.
More than $29 million, or 92% of the cost, is for the Los Angeles Police Department’s response. Part of these funds will also cover the cost of the citywide tactical alerts.
No wonder LAPD didn’t want the National Guard!
This is happening where YOU live. Contact your city council and county reps and ask them just what the hell you have received in return.
Chico Taxpayers Association 
Are overtime hours worked by cops & deputies the same quality as regular hours worked? Is there any accountability or goals and objectives that must be met? Is overtime just another non-transparent benefit for law enforcement? Are these highly paid officers “protecting and serving” the public… or themselves?
Sorry Scott, I had posted a reply but it seems to have gone to the round file.
No, overtime hours are absolutely NOT the same quality as regular hours. We deserve better, we pay for better, and I’m sick of excuses. We need people out there who are cops because they want to have a good community, not pigs who are out for the money.
I’ll ask you Scott – ever seen a pig eat? Watch your fingers.