Mass. Officers Protest Civilian Flaggers on Cape Cod
October 6, 2009
IBPO members from across Cape Cod were in Barnstable on October 6 protesting the state's use of civilian flaggers—and contesting the state's claim that flaggers save taxpayer money.
IBPO members from Barnstable, Sandwich, Yarmouth and Dennis were joined by area members of Mass C.O.P. on Route 6A in a peaceful informational picket while contractors and a civilian flagger continued working. IBPO National Representative Bill Chiasson, who was with the officers at the protest, said that he and local officers have learned that the civilian flaggers at roadside construction sites actually cost the state more than using police officers.
"The site's being staffed by two flaggers and a police officer right now," said Chiasson from the scene. "We've heard from contractors that they bill the state $10 more per hour for a flagger than they pay for an officer on detail. And when you consider the fact that they're paying for three people here instead of two [officers], you've got the state paying an extra $70 per hour for the job. It's a huge waste."
"Using civilian flaggers doesn't save any taxpayer money and it certainly doesn't deter crime the way putting more officers on the street does," said IBPO National President David J. Holway. "The governor's political ploy of using civilian flaggers is costing taxpayers in both money and safety, and it's time he faced reality."