South Gate Police ‘Blue Flu’ Ends
South Gate police officers returned to work Wednesday, ending a two-day sickout over a contract dispute with the city.
Crime-fighting during the 48-hour “blue flu” was handled by top police administrators, about four officers with less than a year’s experience and unarmed community service employees in the department.
“We were fortunate there were no emergencies,” said Police Chief Ron George, who canceled his vacation and patrolled the streets of the city of nearly 80,000. “Things are back to normal. All of the officers got well,” George said Wednesday.
There were 157 incidents, somewhat below normal, during the two-day sickout, Police Capt. Ken Powell said. They included reports of an attempted rape, traffic collisions and stolen cars.
The job action, involving about 80 members of the 91-member force, began with the 10:30 p.m. shift Sunday after the South Gate Police Officers Assn. on Friday rejected a city proposal to settle a contract dispute.
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