EAST CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -
Deep cuts are coming to East Cleveland across the board and city council says it's because the city is in fiscal emergency.
East Cleveland is about to lose more than a dozen police officers and residents are not happy.
Criminals have broken into one East Cleveland on several occasions and so far there have been no arrests. The home owner who does not want to be identified is really upset.
"On my street per see there has been four houses broken into on my street. Just past Sunday a lady's house was broken into. If they were doing their jobs we wouldn't have it. They are not patrolling the streets now," said an unidentified resident.
That tough criticism is about to get worse. A 20-to-25% cut in each department at city hall will take another 20 officers off the streets.
City council approved the drastic decision. The city is facing up to a $8 million deficit and is in fiscal emergency.
"I understand and feel for the police and their families but we can not afford to pay them it's that simple," said Nathaniel Martin, City Council.
Mayor Gary Norton is against laying off any cops and says he delivered a balanced budget to the council.
"If we take more officers off the street there will be more crimes committed. There will be more victims of crime," said Mayor Gary Norton.
Copyright 2013 WOIO. All rights reserved.
East Cleveland budget cuts
