Bodyguards Back to the Streets

The suits on the couch - a police officer and a sergeant who accompanied the mayor to the Senior Center and everywhere else - are now boots on the ground in the local war on crime.

Officer Richie and Sgt. Kenny were not sitting in their familiar spot yesterday morning when the mayor informed seniors that she no longer has two bodyguards. I got an informal confirmation later, but Alexi has broken the story in the Star-Ledger today.

While it is true that there will be no budget savings because the two sworn officers will still serve Plainfield, the cost of the mayoral entourage will drop by more than $150,000. And the perception that the two guys on her campaign flier received a cushy assignment can no longer be raised as an issue.

Now about those confidential aides. No sooner had the mayor taken office than the job title of confidential aide was approved by the City Council. Two former legislative aides from Assemblyman Jerry Green's office turned up at City Hall, one as confidential aide to the mayor and one for City Administrator Carlton McGee. McGee left in 2006 and his former aide now works in the City Clerk's office.

Even though the mayor is paid only $35,000, the extra people added about $200,000 in all to support of her office.

Police Director Martin Hellwig in recent weeks has been adamant on the point that all sworn officers, even the higher-ranking ones, must take a turn on basic police work in the streets, no exceptions. It's a stance that citizens surely endorse after reading about home invasions, shootings and drug activity in Plainfield. And if the mayor needs security, she will have it, he says. That's fair.

Budget talks began last night against the backdrop of a national and perhaps global financial crisis. Plainfield will not be exempt from new pressures to conserve resources. As times get tougher, crime will increase. Repurposing the bodyguards to make all of us feel safer is a sensible move.

--Bernice Paglia