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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > August > 11 > Entry
FOP launches “Cops for Casinos”
The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, representing nearly 26,000 members, on Tuesday, Aug. 11 endorsed the Nov. 3 ballot issue calling for gambling casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Columbus.
The group also announced formation of “Cops for Casinos”, with the goal of forming a coalition of law enforcement groups backing the four-casino plan.
The Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan, the pro-casino proposal, would provide an estimated $322 million a year to all 88 Ohio counties and eight largest cities, including Dayton, Mark Drum, Ohio FOP treasurer, said at a downtown Columbus press conference.
The money is badly needed to avoid law enforcement layoffs, he said.
“These are tough times for local governments all over Ohio,” said Drum.
Tom Smith, public policy director for the Ohio Council of Churches, watched the outdoor press conference and said the gambling plan would increase crime in the cities with the casino.
Drum, however, said during the press conference that law officers in cities with casinos said they don’t cause any more problems than other big events such as the state fair and Ohio State football games.
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Comments
By wow
August 12, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
I read all the comments, hear all the hate. Ohio needs jobs, casinos is the only plan I’ve heard. I don’t want anymore gov’t hand outs to the lazy. No more taxes. The FOP has NO business endorsing the issue either for or against it. Not their place. And we need our Police. I hope all you nondriving people get lots of tickets. See you at the poles.By Ruh Roh Scooby-Double Talk ALert
August 12, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this
Gee, is this the same union that aired all the negative ads about the last casino initiative?? could it be now that they are seeing their ranks thin, they agree that casinos are good now? Just like everything else, cops are a bunch of hypocrites..AND RET SGT..go back to beating your wife and dog..you sir are a scumbag!!By HUH?
August 12, 2009 7:21 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe this! Look how dangerous it is in Lawernceburg and Rising Sun. And the FOP wants to bring casinos to OHIO? I know I don’t want to be compared to those violent people in Indiana by the rest of the country! Seriously now, what are you people talking about crime? Because crime rates are so low in these cities now. Really what is a few more petty crimes compared to whats going on now. You people are just trying to impose your morals on the rest of us. You don’t like the casinos, don’t go! Dont ruin the job oppritunities for the rest of us. Don’t you people think it would be a priority to reduce crime in the areas so people will frequent the proposed casinos.By mike
August 11, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t anyone remember that this casino group is the same group that helped fight the last casino initiative. Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth. Do you really want these people to control gambling in Ohio. NOBy old cop
August 11, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this
The FOP doesn’t speak for all of us. Its just another union that in many ways supports political positions. Values are still the most important thing. Budgets are tough and officers are paying the price in places but sacrificing values will never be the right answer for getting through tough times.It looks like states with casinos are suffering just as many budget problems and police layoffs as anywhere else to me. Casinos are not the answer fiscal responsiblity is. All of us are suffering from political irresponsibility and are now paying a price for that with or without casinos.By dookie
August 11, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this
Cops for __ is a joke. Just create an organization called “cops for overtime and federal funding.” That will cover all the stupid checkpoints and overtime. Its the only right wing union..but thats another issue. I am pro casino btw… but give a rats a*s about what the FOP wants.By RETIRED SGT
August 11, 2009 9:34 PM | Link to this
Is it barrister or barista? I have been to Atlantic City, as well as Vegas. Been to Argosy too. The Casinos we are talking about is what you would see at Argosy. Very little crime associated with this type of casino….Oh, and I used to work vice for several years. I am well versed on gambling and related offenses…By Barrister 1
August 11, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this
Retired Sgt. Maybe you should travel to Atlantic City and help them there cops with all the “minor” crimes that are being take care of so quickly.By David
August 11, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this
Well I’m voting against it for the simple reason I think we need to support the horse racing industry in the state. The only good plan is to put the slots at the 7 racetracks, an bring back the glory days of Ohio race horsesBy WOW great thinking
August 11, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
Cameron, Don’t break the law that the elected politicians put in place and you won’t get a a ticket. It’s pretty simple.By RET 4 Cassino
August 11, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this
I say “YES” Ohio needs this, we need this for survival and bring our property values back up. You don’t want to gamble then don’t go. If the bible thumbers don’t want the cassino let them start paying sales taxes then.By w102pbh
August 11, 2009 8:14 PM | Link to this
So, I guess social values have diminished to the point that people don’t think about how casinos affect more than just themselves. If that is the case, then I say bring it to Dayton !!! We deserve the right to be social idiots.By yep
August 11, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this
For those of you opposed to the upcoming issue 3. Show me the difference between the state lottery and playing a hand of poker. There isn’t one…well except my odds of winning are better at poker.By RETIRED SGT
August 11, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this
DougR-The Hospital wants you back, the nice men in white coats will be right there…. Casinos are pretty well regulated and while the will be some increase in crime, (domestic violence, some prostitution, minor thefts), it can be dealt with pretty quickly. What it will also do is bring in revenue to a state that has taken many hits with business leaving. We need businesses to locate here. Casinos will bring in other business like hotels, food joints etc that will increase the tax base. I only wish DAYTON could be part of this. The 4 locations discussed already have multiple entertainment venues. Cities like Dayton, Wilmington, Akron and Lima should have been proposed instead of the big 4.By dougr
August 11, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
This sounds like the mentality of a cop. They aren’t Qualified to get a regular job so they spend their time harassing those of us who work every day.By Todd
August 11, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
this is crazy most of the city’s now days that are going to get the caninos see all the crime they can handle a canino is not going to bring any more crimes than you have. if you don’t like tickets don’t speed. that is like say if you build one more school your going to draw more sick freaks thart like kids to the areaBy Marpar
August 11, 2009 6:26 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry all you crime ridden scare mongers. If this ballot passes Dayton will be left out of the Casino mix and the only crime will be not having a casino b/c all the big 3 C’s have it and Dayton won’t have a fighting chance at that point. That is THE crime!By Its about time,
August 11, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
WHAT WERE ONCE VICES WILL NOW BECOME PERMANENT.By MsScarlett
August 11, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this
It’s always amazed me at how all these years, Ohio was ok with all that money at the nearby casinos was NOT in Ohio. It’s about time someone woke up here. It will bring jobs, revenue and people to Ohio to stay/shop/eat etc. Now there’s a great idea! It will not bring crime and I get tired of hearing people say that who really have NOT done their homework.By ac 50
August 11, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
casinos = jobs = revenue = winning formula. ohio needs to pass this issue Nov. 3 and stay competitive with WV and Indiana and Michigan.By Get over yourselves
August 11, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
Casinos bring no more crime than anything else. Drive over to Anderson, or Shelbyville, or Lawrenceburg, or Elizabeth City, and look at all the new business, streets, and schools. This is not the 1930’s Vegas era, it’s about jobs, revenue, and entertainment. These casinos are more secure and watched by cameras than your bank.By Thinkaboutit
August 11, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing to me how many ignorant people blog on here who obviously does not have the capacity to think!!! Last time I checked it was the police officer’s responsibility to enforce both criminal and traffic laws which includes “Writing Citations” I know this shocks some of you but it’s true. To the others who say crime increases with casinos this is not the old days of organized crime, people these days can gamble without crime. Last time I checked people don’t commit crimes to get money to turn and gamble it way. Drugs is what causes and increases crime. Wake up people or better yet, lets here your ideas of creating jobs, oh yea you don’t want jobs you want to live off me…..No worries public assistance is not going anywhere anytime soon.By Thinkaboutit
August 11, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing to me how many ignorant people blog on here who obviously does not have the capacity to think!!! Last time I checked it was the police officer’s responsibility to enforce both criminal and traffic laws which includes “Writing Citations” I know this shocks some of you but it’s true. To the others who say crime increases with casinos this is not the old days of organized crime, people these days can gamble without crime. Last time I checked people don’t commit crimes to get money to turn and gamble it way. Drugs is what causes and increases crime. Wake up people or better yet, lets here your ideas of creating jobs, oh yea you don’t want jobs you want to live off me…..No worries public assistance is not going anywhere anytime soon.By whatkarma
August 11, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
right up there with “cops for brothels”By Jason
August 11, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
The FOP is in contract negotiations with the state and is mad at the gov and legislators. Rather than protect the public, they are doing something that will increase crime and hoping it increases their ranks and unions dues.By JOE
August 11, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this
PLEASE BRING JOBS TO DAYTON, PLEASE!By JD
August 11, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
So, the FOP wants these casinos, but they were so passionately against the other one for the good people of Wilmington!? WowBy William E. Roach
August 11, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
You people need to come off of your holy then thou throne and wake up and due what is right to bring money to ohio. take a look at Indiana, especially Rising Sun Ind. They are laughing all the way to the bank with a boat load of money from Ohio. It is not going to bring any more crime then you already have. most of you whiners and cry babies wouldn’t know a good thing if it walked up and smacked you in the face. Even vegas is getting alot of your money. you idoits need to wake up and smell the roses. your President of the United States sure as hell isn’t going to help you, Cause he is too busy taking all these so called trips all over Gods creation and his wife is busy spending all your tax paying money on shopping trips. Oh wait a minute the Prez. will throw you a $250.00 bone and all you straving dogs out there will jump on it like a hot rock.By William E. Roach
August 11, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
You people need to come off of your holy then thou throne and wake up and due what is right to bring money to ohio. take a look at Indiana, especially Rising Sun Ind. They are laughing all the way to the bank with a boat load of money from Ohio. It is not going to bring any more crime then you already have. most of you whiners and cry babies wouldn’t know a good thing if it walked up and smacked you in the face. Even vegas is getting alot of your money. you idoits need to wake up and smell the roses. your President of the United States sure as hell isn’t going to help you, Cause he is too busy taking all these so called trips all over Gods creation and his wife is busy spending all your tax paying money on shopping trips. Oh wait a minute the Prez. will throw you a $250.00 bone and all you straving dogs out there will jump on it like a hot rock.By FOP Greed
August 11, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
The FOP is only concerned about their paychecks. They would support selling your children if they thought it would keep them in business. On the bright side, the FOP endorsement will help citizens kill this ballot issue.By jm
August 11, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
Cameron, What are cops for if not writing citations, etc? DUHBy flipper
August 11, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
Let’s not forget the indorsement of Mobsters for Monetary Gain and Politicians for Plucking the Public.By Cameron
August 11, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
lol, they might as well start a program called “Cops for Speeders” or “Cops for Texting while Driving” or how about “Cops for Arbitrarily pulling people over and writing a citation for some silly traffic law”. Lets call it what it is. Police in Ohio LOVE writing citations and tickets to generate revenue. That’s Ohio for you.By Kati
August 11, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
I think this is disgraceful! The job security for the cops is going to come from all the crime this brings to the state. We will need all that money just to fight the crime.