Sign of the times...

MSNBC reports that a sniper is stalking the Oakland, CA police. No one has been hit so far. "They hear gunshots and can feel the bullets pass by them," a police spokesman said.

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Oakland, CA police layoff talks go down to the wire - SF Chronicle

"With the average officer's salary and benefits totaling $188,000 a year, City Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente, a union leader himself, has described the situation as 'unsustainable.'"

No kiddin'. KNBC is reporting a list of about 40 minor crimes and offenses that the cops will no longer respond to. To us people here in the midwest, where a cop might make $70-80 a year at most, that number just seems ridiculous. No wonder they have to sack 'em. Hoist on their own petard.