02/04/09 LETER TO THE GREENWICH TIME EDITOR: Greenwich Police Chief David Ridberg A Liability

RIDBERG IS "SHOT" FROM THE STRESS OF HIS "OVERTAXING" JOB

To the editor:

As documented in Greenwich Time on Feb. 1 in his own words, the chief of police in Greenwich has suffered so much extra stress in his job over the last 18 months that he now describes himself as feeling "shot" on the job.

This is extremely scary news for the citizens and taxpayers of Greenwich that the leader of arguably the most important agency in town has suffered so much stress that he now describes himself that way. Even scarier is the fact that the first selectman and police commissioner, Peter Tesei, is fully aware of the chief's self-described condition (stress is a well-documented medical/psychological condition), yet does not remove him immediately while he is evaluated and/or treated until he can be certified as "un-shot." The citizens and taxpayers deserve nothing less.

The ramifications of keeping a chief on the job who is "shot" due to an "overtaxing" job are far reaching for the town, its citizens and its taxpayers. The reality is that every decision the chief makes or has made can now be considered clouded and reproachable due to his revelation of his condition. From a public safety point of view, it is frightfully unacceptable to have a police chief who is "shot" as the individual responsible for making clear-headed, critical public safety decisions during an emergency. From a litigation standpoint, defense and suit-happy lawyers can have a field day with the situation. From a morale standpoint for the rank-and-file police, it seems unlikely to improve anytime soon under a leader who describes himself that way. And perhaps most important, as the chief will be expected to make critical appointments and promotions under scrutiny after the current lawsuit is finally settled, it becomes vital to have a police leader who can make legally incontestable decisions. He must avoid keeping the town mired in this costly lawsuit, or worse yet, giving basis for future lawsuits and criminal defenses -- which we taxpayers would most certainly be on the hook for, again!

A police chief who had admitted to such a condition is a huge liability and needs to be removed immediately. Our physical, financial and legal protections depend on it.

signed,

Soon To Be Pulled Over To The Side Of The Road In Cos Cob

David Liebenguth

PLEASE SEE:

2/1/09 Ridberg has had to delegate responsibilities normally handled by deputy chiefs and captains to lieutenants in order to keep things running

THE HEADLINES:

SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS IN GREENWICH SAY: THIS IS AN UNNECESSARY BAND-AID APPROACH TO GREENWICH POLICING

Greenwich Police Chief Ridberg fells "shot" because of the stress of thee past 18 months. Ridberg is struggling at the administrative level: Is this a direct threat to public safety?

THE QUOTE:

"Clearly we are looking for the Supreme Court to adjudicate the matter," said First Selectman Peter Tesei. "That would be the most welcomed news I could receive."

THE STORY:

First selectman concerned about strained police department

.....Officials said the promotion freeze on all positions above captain has strained the department, overtaxing the chief of police and causing the lieutenants below him to take on new responsibilities in order to shoulder some of the burden. .....

David Liebenguth Had Better Becareful Of Ridberg And His Associates Look What Happened To Chris Fountain When He Criticized The Greenwich Police Department.

Here Is A Little Example Of How Police Resources Are Used To Attack And Intimidate Citizen Journalists, Bloggers And Others Who Critcize Thin Skinned David Ridberg's Police Department:

08/14/08 Soon To Be Pulled Over Lawyer / Realator Exposes Police Union "Extortion"

....The Times says no other state wastes resources like this but, wouldn't you know, Greenwich uses a modified system, requiring off-duty policemen, on overtime pay, to steer cars around all non-public work projects.

A town employee can move traffic around a town tree cutting operation but if that same bit of tree trimming is being performed by CL&P or a private tree company, cop(s) must be on hand. Don't hire one at your peril, because these guys will shut you down in a heart beat and even arrest you, as they did at the Post Office project on Valley Road.

Cops make out like bandits with this deal and Greenwich obviously figures that what we don't see won't hurt us, so our "negotiators" continue the practice. We spent, according to BET minutes, $32,000 a month in police overtime directing traffic during the Mianus sewer construction project, a work effort that stretched out years. That's just one small example, of course. And I assume, but do not know, that a cop's overtime earned directing traffic is treated like all his other overtime when calculating his pension.

Because that pension is based on the cop's last year's total compensation it's the norm that the retiring civil servant racks up as much extra pay as he can, all to our financial woe. As a town, we seem to accept this ridiculous situation as the price of labor peace but it sure looks like union extortion to me.

08/21/08 For What It's Worth: Chris we Hate To Say We Told You So, But Chris we Told You So.....Parking ticket appeals - From For What It's Worth

.....I've never appealed one until now but a cop recently ticketed me for parking too close to a hydrant and, when I questioned him, he said, "you were in my way." I don't think that a cop's pique is sufficient reason to get a ticket so I filed an appeal and went off to Town Hall today to argue it.....

.....Here's a picture of the scene of the crime. You'll notice that the offensive policeman is a gentleman in his late 50's. Anyone that age still wearing shorts and directing traffic probably has suffered some career disappointments along life's path, but that's no reason to be a jerk, in my opinion.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

It Would Take Scores Of Freedom Of Information Requests And Court Transcripts To Calculate The Cost Of Greenwich Police Resources Improperly Used To Try And Deny Greenwich Citizen Journalist Bill Clark His First Amendment Rights.

His Battles Against The Town's Improper Use Of Resources To Silence And Punish Him Have Been Legendary. In fact, The Town Has Had To Pay Mr. Clarke A Hefty Court Judgement For These Illegal Actions.

================================================================
Please send your comments to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com or click on the the comments link at the end of this post.