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A day after handing out pink slips to 118 of his officers, Miami-Dade Police Department Director James Loftus addressed the layoffs and their possible impacts at a press conference Saturday afternoon.
"This is a big hit for us. It hurts in every possible way. But we will find a way to get through this," Loftus said.
The director said their top priority would continue to be to respond to 911 calls and to prevent and solve violent crime. Still, the layoffs could mean other services would see a hit.
When asked if a burglary call could see longer response time, he responded bluntly.
"Yes."
Loftus went on to say that dealing with the layoffs was the second most difficult thing he's had to do as director.
"Clearly the first hardest thing is burying two people."
He talked about the difficulty of letting go of members of the police "family," including officer Scott Diaz, son of the late Sergeant Mike Diaz --who died from a heart attack in 2002 -- and his mother who retired from the police deepartment.
"Scott is one of the people who will no longer work here anymore. This is a family to us," Loftus said.
In total 131 positions have been slashed, but 13 of those officers will be moved to new positions within the county. Some 41 employees are also being demoted; a move that Police Benevolent Association President John Rivera vowed to contest.
The layoffs are the result of severe cutbacks as Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez tries to balance the county's budget.
He asked the union to contribute 5% more of their salaries towards health benefits--or face layoffs. In a statement the mayor insisted the number of officers patrolling the streets won't be impacted by the layoffs.
Last week the Miami-Dade County Commision voted against the 5% concession the mayor vetoed the action. Then the pink slips went out.
