Despite the brutal temperatures and bitter wind, about three dozen police and firefighters marched outside the Genesis Convention Center for more than three hours on Friday, carrying signs protesting low wages and lousy equipment.
“No raises in nine years,” one sign said. “Lowest paid in the county,” claimed another.
The pickets hoped to get the attention of guests attending Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson’s annual State of the City address and residents.
While some people ignored the high-spirited protesters, others voiced encouragement.
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“You are overworked. And underpaid,” said one woman as she crossed 5th Avenue. Passing motorists honked support and fire trucks, squad cars and ambulances blared sirens as they passed the demonstration.
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party, never made it inside for the luncheon and speech. He stopped at the parking lot entrance and stepped out to shake hands with a few of the pickets, then left.
“I’ll probably take some political heat for that,” Buncich said. “But I stand with my brothers in law enforcement. Public safety over politics.”
Freeman-Wilson observed later, “His decision was political,” adding, “I’m a public servant, too.”
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 61 President Samuel Abegg said the protest is an effort to inform residents about the status of law enforcement in the city. The department is losing too many experienced officers to other departments, he said.
“It costs significantly more to continually hire and train new officers as opposed to retaining veteran experience and leadership,” Abegg said.
The mayor said she didn’t see the billboard-type signs posted on two trucks and near the entrance of the convention center that proclaim Gary is the “seventh most dangerous city in America,” with police who are “extremely underpaid and overworked.”
The bottom line asks, “Do you feel safe?”
Freeman-Wilson said the negative statements could reflect poorly not only on the city but on the police force.
“You’re kind of talking about yourself,” she said.
Abegg noted that the city’s efforts to combat crime can’t succeed “without appropriating the necessary funds to not only increase the workforce to capacity but to also provide a competitive wage that will foster officer retention.”
Union police and fire department representatives have been meeting with the city since September, Freeman-Wilson said.
“We are about to come to a conclusion in compensation,” she said.
City finances have been complicated by a decrease in casino funds.
Abegg countered that the work environment has created “morale (that) can’t seem to be any lower. We do not do this job to get rich, but all these officers want is a fair wage.”