Here's an interesting note from my e-mail box this weekend:

"Early in the year after deciding that yet another 12 police officers were dispensible, a challenge was given to city council members to do a ride along on a fri. or sat. night with patrol officers. All members said they would do this. I am curious to know if any have actually done this. The budget for 2007 will be upon us before we know it. I would like to see someone make a public challenge to our elected officals and see if the are willing to meet the challenge. I know of a recent case where a woman waited over 2 hours for a response to a domestic violence call on a weekend because available units were responding to 'more pressing calls.'"
- Ty Sue Wingenbach

I've forwarded this on to Kevin Flowers, our reporter who covers city government for the Erie Times-News.

He told me he will check it out.

In the meantime, I'm curious to hear from anyone out there who can offer an insight into whether the recent cutbacks on the city police force have affected service.