WSVN-TV – 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco

In the wake of proposed budget cuts that would slash the number of law enforcement officers, the head of the Police Benevolent Association for Miami-Dade County said that the public may have to start taking matters into their own hands.

“If the mayor’s not going to provide security, then my recommendation, as an experienced law enforcement officer for nearly 40 years, is either buy yourself an attack dog, put bars on your windows and doors and get yourself some firearms because you’re going to have to protect yourselves. We won’t be able to,” John Rivera, president of the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association, told WSVN.

According to the Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who proposed the cuts, the county needs to make up a $64 million budget gap. To do so, he needs everyone involved to play ball. But if they refuse, the police force may take a huge hit.

“If we get no concessions whatsoever [from labor unions], then you’re looking at about 250 police officers,” said Gimenez.