The City Council committee in San Jose has indefinitely shelved a proposal to reintroduce horse-riding police officers downtown. The plan involved accepting a $390,000 donation to fund horses and related costs. However, concerns about the uncertainty of the police department budget and the financial impacts of federal cuts led Councilmember David Cohen to push for a deferral. The proposal carried complex ongoing costs, estimated at $120,000 annually, which drew criticism from the police union amid contentious contract negotiations. The union decried recent cuts to officer overtime as retaliation for negotiations.
The proposal to bring back horse-riding police officers to downtown San Jose has been shelved by the City Council due to concerns over policing budgets and ongoing officer negotiations.
Concerns about uncertainty in the police department budget and ongoing federal disinvestment have influenced the decision to defer the horse-mounted unit. Councilmember David Cohen emphasized the need for further evaluation before moving forward.
The San Jose Police Officers' Association has raised issues regarding the ongoing costs associated with the horse-riding unit, particularly in the context of contentious contract negotiations with the city.
The union criticized the decision to cut overtime work for patrol officers, viewing it as retaliation amidst negotiations, while city officials labeled it a necessary move to address budgetary conflicts.
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