BREAKING: Taveras—City Will Start Laying off Police This Week

BREAKING: Taveras—City Will Start Laying off Police This Week

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras announced this afternoon that the city this week will start the process of laying off up to 80 police officers.

Taveras said the layoffs are necessary to save $6 million in the budget.

“We have tough choices to make and that’s why we are here today,” Taveras said at a City Hall press conference.

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He said negotiations over concessions have been inconclusive and the city has run out of time. To make sure that the budget is balanced before the start of the new fiscal year, on July 1, the Mayor said the layoffs will begin now—even as 11th hour negotiations with the union continue.

“We have not taken this action lightly and it was with a heavy heart today that we delivered the news to the men and women who so proudly service the City of Providence,” Taveras said. “Unfortunately, we must simply realize these cost savings to save our city from fiscal collapse.”

A union spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

DEVELOPING….

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