Stockton's Measure N would create 3-person panel for police, firefighter contract negotiations
STOCKTON — An initiative on the November ballot would give residents of Stockton a say in how policemen and firefighters can negotiate their contracts with the city.
The police and firefighter unions are in favor of Measure N, but the city council opposes it. The scars of Stockton's bankruptcy history are a big part of the debate over its public safety future.
The Stockton police union is now pointing to crime stats and officer recruitment problems in a political campaign. The Stockton firefighter union is joining too.
"Obviously, if you're living in Stockton, you're noticing the crime rate is still an issue," Stockton Police Association Vice President Chris Sherman said. "The way our current staffing is formulated, we're only averaging probably about 13 officers per shift for the entire city."
Stockton Firefighters Local 456's President Mario Gardea said half of the city's fire department staff is at retirement age.
"So we're going to be in a position that we have to put ourselves in a position to go after these paramedics when it comes time to fill all these open positions," Gardea said.
Measure N would change the Stockton city charter, allowing a three-person independent panel to vote on future labor negotiations between fire, police and the city if those negotiations reach a stalemate.
"We love our firefighters. We love our policemen," City Councilmember Michael Blower said.
Blower is opposed to Measure N and recalled the 2012 city bankruptcy that came after Stockton dedicated 84% of its general fund to public safety. That number is at 74% now.
"We absolutely don't ever want to go down that path again. Bankruptcy was terrible for the City of Stockton," Blower said. "And that's why I've come out publicly against this Measure N because I think it sets a potential path toward going towards that again."
While the city seeks a future of fiscal responsibility and safety, the people living there seek protection.
For Stockton business owner Chad Dorado, crime-fighting is part of his bottom line. Dorado recently bought a $6,000 roll-up security door to keep burglars out after they broke through his metal gate.
"They went through that gate like it didn't exist," he said. "So I thought it was pretty well-fortified before, and I found out pretty quickly that they're very motivated."
Measure N requires a 50% plus one vote to pass and it locks in the binding arbitration to the city charter.
If passed, it would take a two-thirds vote by the public to rescind it.