Police union buys house next to Stockton city manager
STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) -- The police union in the Northern California city of Stockton has stepped up its battle against the debt-ridden city over cuts to the police department by buying a house next to the city manager.
The Stockton Police Officers' Association bought the home this year and the city responded by suing the union, alleging it purchased the home to intimidate City Manager Bob Deis and his family.
The union has previously paid for a billboard at the entrance to the San Joaquin Valley city that reads: "Welcome to the 2nd most dangerous city in California: Stop laying off cops!"
The union president tells the Los Angeles Times that the city spent money it didn't have on a sports arena and downtown buildings, then went after public safety with cuts.
