FLINT -- With proposed cuts just a short week away, many Flint police officers are making the most of their first amendment rights.
"We're just voicing our opinion that we need more police and fire in the city. You can't just lay off eighty of us," Flint Police Officers Association President, Keith Speer said.
Although layoffs are expected to take place March 9th, "Tell Walling No" banners are popping up all over the city of Flint.
The banner continues to read, "We need our police and fire"--a solemn cry from the city to maintain its public safety officials. "What are we going to do; what are the residents going to do? They're going to be unprotected," Speer said.
The union leader further suggested what he considers to be a wiser option. "The very first thing he can do is get rid of the towing contract that he has with Complete Towing and give it back to the police department," he said, "There is money. There are ways of saving jobs without laying all of these people off, they just don't want to do it and they don't want to listen."
While union leaders continue to seek for more solutions, officers like Mark Boudreau reflects on his loyalty to the Flint community. "I just want to keep working. I want to keep protecting the citizens of Flint," he said, "I'm a city tax payer and a city employee. I just want to stay here."
