Layoffs begin in Camden

On Tuesday 168 police officers and 67 firefighters were laid off in an attempt to close a $26.5 million budget gap. Camden Mayor Dana Redd criticized leaders of both unions for not of fering concessions that could have saved jobs. Positions could still be restored, Redd said, if four bargaining units agree to $2 million each in concessions. That $8 million would save 100 police department jobs and those of all the city’s dismissed firefighters. Health care plan reforms and elimination of longevity bonuses and furloughs are on the table and so far only unions representing the city’s police have offered concessions.