Did anyone see this? NOLA PD & FD going to Vegas on paid vacations??? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

SplshMtn99

09-06-2005, 07:45 PM

DH & I were watching Foxnews. We listened in disbelief, then looked at each other & laughed & said WHAT????

I swear we both heard something like the Mayor of NOLA wants to send the FD & PD (maybe 1500 people - might be wrong here) to Las Vegas on paid vacations --- like REAL SOON!!!!

And when questioned about why now when the crisis continues, he said something like NOLA is a "PARTY CITY" & life goes on. ???? :confused3

If we heard this right, we think this guy has lost it!!!!
Not to mention, who's paying for the vacation, & maybe just give them the $ to start over with instead of gambing it away. ????

WebmasterAlex

09-06-2005, 07:51 PM

That is way spun from what I have heard. Many of the officers that stayed are absolutely at their breaking point. He wants to send them AND give them mental health counseling etc.

diznygirl

09-06-2005, 07:54 PM

It's mentioned in this story about two officer suicides:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/06/police.suicide.ap/index.html

They are being sent for some R&R and counseling.

CherCrazy

09-06-2005, 08:01 PM

Yes, that is totally twisted from the way it started out. I have been glued to CNN way too much. Here is kind of what the mayor has been saying over the past few days....

The police are overburdened. The mayor reported that a couple of officers had commited suicide from the burden of the situation. Several hundred of his officers are missing from the job. He presumed that they are either dead, overwhelmed, or have left to help their own families.

They worked DAYS without relief until the federal help arrived. They are in need of reuniting with their families, and getting rest and grief counseling. He wanted to get them out of town to a place with a lot of hotel rooms, that's why Las Vegas came up.

Don't forget, CNN is NOT showing us too many of the dead bodies that are floating around. I can't imagine the horror of having to be in a place like that.

SplshMtn99

09-06-2005, 08:06 PM

I understand the "why" they need a vacation....but it just made it sound like - ya know -- VEGAS -- PARTY --- LIVE IT UP!!!!!! We would have thought maybe somewhere quiet with time to work thru everything they just went thru.

:confused3

julia & nicks mom

09-06-2005, 08:06 PM

I guess I think if anyone deserves a few days of R&R far away from the troubles of NO it is them!

lovemygoofy

09-06-2005, 08:16 PM

It's the mayor's way of saying he doesn't want his relief workers to eat a bullet to be absolutely blunt. These relief workers have plenty of family that is watching the same news you are and extremely worried about their loved ones. We do the same thing in the military.

SplshMtn99

09-06-2005, 08:17 PM

I wasn't denying that they needed time off. We were just shocked that the way it APPEARED that they were going there to party -- since they "seemed" to be quoting the Mayor's words.

Again, I think a quiet place to work thru things is better than an atmosphere of gambling & alcohol. (And yes, I know there are OTHER things to do in Las Vegas. It has become a family vacation destination.) Maybe that's just me & DH being shocked the the Mayors "party" attitude at a time like this.

Again, I understand that Fox probably twisted the story. That's why I asked if we heard this correctly. Thanks for the links to more accurate reporting.

lovemygoofy

09-06-2005, 08:19 PM

Actually I think the reason they are using Vegas is because it has so many hotel rooms within a short distance and easier access to many counserlors. If I had to guess; I would bet they will be using many military/veteran counserlors that counsel military after a deployment.

SplshMtn99

09-06-2005, 08:24 PM

We do the same thing in the military.

When my military DH comes back from tramatic events.... I guess we try to destress differently. Maybe because of his history with alcohol, Vegas is the LAST place I would think of taking him.

He's supposed to be heading to Mississippi to help out....and we've already talked out him watching his stress & depression while there....and seek help from a friend or someone if he feels he needs it. And NOT to turn to alcohol on any time off.

I HOPE THOSE FD & PD GET THE CONSOLING (sp?) THEY NEED --- NO MATTER WHERE IT IS.

Again, I knew that Fox must of reported something twisted.

lovemygoofy

09-06-2005, 08:31 PM

I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like we are all lushes or anything; I was actually meaning that when my dh comes home on R&R or actually gets some block leave, it's stressed to go out and have a good time and let the tension out. Of course it's all a matter of personal preference how it is done. I didn't intentionally mean go get drunk and gamble in Vegas. :goodvibes

SplshMtn99

09-06-2005, 08:35 PM

It's ok. I don't know about your experience....but I personally know alot of military people with alcohol problems. He was worse when he worked with a certain group in the past. Not as bad now thankfully. Ya have to admit....they do seem to go hand in hand for a number of people....but thankfully - not everyone.

ETA: He's a super great guy. Everyone loves him & turns to him for help. That's his problem. Wants to help everyone & gets worn out....and doesn't watch himself. He wants to help so badly; and takes it all in when he can't do everything he wants to. LOL Didn't want him to look like a looser with a drinking problem. Oh - maybe too late.

lsyorke

09-06-2005, 08:54 PM

The "party city" comment by the mayor was tongue in cheek after being questioned about why Vegas. He laughed when questioned and said something about New Orleans being a party city too and it seemed fitting that Vegas would be providing the rooms needed for R&R. Vegas has the room capacity they are going to need.

snappy

09-06-2005, 10:54 PM

As far as who is footing the bill, my understanding is that Nagin called up the governors of Nevada and Georgia, and they agreed to supply the rooms, meals, and a show ticket. Southwest is flying them for free.

DisneyDotty

09-06-2005, 11:05 PM

Good for them! I hope they are able to rest and relax a bit. Can't even imagine the horror they've been through.

mchames

09-06-2005, 11:16 PM

I just saw on the local news tonight that about 200 hundred NO police officers have just arrived in Atlanta for four days of R & R. Some were reunited with family members and they will all be put up in hotels here in Atlanta.

shrubber

09-07-2005, 12:55 PM

SplshMtn99

09-07-2005, 12:59 PM

That is the exact example the Fox anchorperson gave this morning when they repeated the story the same way we heard it last night.

LoraJ

09-07-2005, 01:06 PM

This makes me furious!
The city is in chaos and the Mayor sends the police force off to Las Vegas?!?
Can you imagine the police in NYC going to Atlantic City the week after 9/11?
Neither can I. This Mayor should be ashamed of himself and his police department as well.

Most of the cops/FD in NYC worked in shifts from what I can remember. They also knew where their familes were. They also still had their homes to go to.

These NO cops are spent and traumatized and need to get out for a while to get their heads together. They've most likely lost their homes, have been shot at all week and are just emotionally drained.

shrubber

09-07-2005, 01:15 PM

Most of the cops/FD in NYC worked in shifts from what I can remember. They also knew where their familes were. They also still had their homes to go to.

These NO cops are spent and traumatized and need to get out for a while to get their heads together. They've most likely lost their homes, have been shot at all week and are just emotionally drained.

Just the thought of a City Mayor sending over half of his police department and fire department on a 5 day vacation to Las Vegas while the city and the people in it are dying is appaling. Let alone irresponible.
Are the police there tired and overworked ? Yes.

It's their job!!!!!!!
Should the National Guard get spa days at Spago paid for next week because their job is difficult to?