The Nation - News from Feb. 26, 1989

The mayor of McKeesport, Pa., a Pittsburgh suburb, said nearly half of the 50-member police force would lose their jobs despite a community effort to raise $90,000 to help pay their salaries. Mayor Louis Washowich has said he will lay off 21 officers because the city cannot afford 4% to 4 1/2% wage increases recently awarded to the department by state arbitrators. The city’s volunteer ambulance company began a fund-raising effort with a $15,000 gift, and residents added about $300 through countertop donation cans. A restaurant, bank and area churches also agreed to donate or match contributions and officials estimated that $90,000 could be raised by Friday. But Washowich said the fund raising was not a long-term solution because wage increases and benefits for the police will cost more than $110,000 this year and $225,000 next year.