Hubris…

I wouldn’t know Delray’s CFO if I tripped over him.
I’ve never met him, I don’t watch city meetings and I have no idea what he’s about. So this isn’t personal.
But last week, my phone started pinging when Henry Dachowitz unleashed a diatribe that targeted the cost of our police and fire departments.

Curious, I  went online where I saw an array of Delray police retirees—many my friends—express disgust at the comments. I saw that the county Police Benevolent Association had issued a statement condemning the CFO’s statements and I found a link to the remarks.
I clicked.
What I saw was despicable.

The first rule of governance is to know your place. That doesn’t mean you can’t speak out or offer ideas.
It does mean that you shouldn’t question your boss’s competence or question the governing body’s political will (courage) publicly, unless of course they are endangering lives or breaking laws. Supporting public safety is neither unlawful or dangerous.

If you want to go home and tell your wife that you work for a bunch of incompetent weaklings that’s one thing. Go ahead and vent.
But to put it on the record, broadcast it on YouTube and refuse to stop when the mayor tells you to is another matter.
You can’t unsay what he said. And I don’t know how he can continue to work productively with people he so clearly sees as lacking.
A few things stick out.
One is the contention that local elected officials support police officers and firefighters because the unions are strong and the officers and firefighters are popular in the community.
So what’s your point?

Are you saying the community is wrong to support public safety?
Have you considered that the businesses and taxpayers in this community made a choice long ago—long before you were hired-to invest in public safety?
So let me state clearly and unequivocally: that investment was made because this town was once a hotbed of drugs and crime.

In the 80s, the crime rate in this town was shocking. Some neighborhoods were open air drug markets. People from all over the region came here to buy crack.
Major drug dealers set up shop in the village by the sea. When the police pushed back, one infamous kingpin hung a pigs head on a street sign as a warning for cops to back off or else.
The traffic lights on West Atlantic Avenue were blinking yellow because it was too dangerous to stop at a light.
I can go on and on.

I know this to be true because I was there. As a newspaper reporter, I rode with the men and women of our police department. I saw firefighters pelted with bottles when they responded to fights that were breaking on our main street.

In the late 80s and early 90s and right through today, citizens and their elected representatives made a decision to create a safer community.
It’s an ongoing effort and struggle that requires an ongoing commitment and investment.
Delray is a safer place as a result. Not a perfect place, not a crime free place, but the progress has been real and palpable. You can feel it.
So to question that investment is a big deal.

Yes, the cost of government is an important topic. People are hurting because of inflation and everything should be looked at,  including the cost of providing government services.
But to question the political will of elected officials, the financial acumen of your city manager, the judgment of the community and the difficulties faced by officers is another matter.
When I watched the video several thoughts flashed through my mind.
How dare you was the first.
I was also stunned by the hubris of a man who would say on the record that he had forgotten more than the collective experience on the dais.
Really?
That’s a heckuva claim.
Maybe it’s true. Maybe you are the Warren Buffett of municipal finance minds, but somewhere you could have used a Dale Carnegie course.

If you’re a genius, so what? What you said was disrespectful and ultimately doesn’t further debate.

If you sit on that dais how are you supposed to work with someone who so clearly doesn’t respect your judgement; someone who assumes you support police and fire because you fear the power of their unions.
Again, if you want a conversation about the cost of government services and what spending should be prioritized and what should be trimmed or eliminated bring it.
But how do you have that conversation now?
And to compare the work of NYPD officers with our officers serves what purpose ?
What exactly are we saying?
Why? What’s the purpose?

I’m not sure. But I do know the impact when you publicly question the worth of public servants.
It hurts.
And again I have to ask why?
The CFO may have a ton of experience somewhere else. But he makes a rookie mistake when he only looks at the cost not the benefits of an investment.
Providing top quality public safety is an expensive endeavor. Not only do you have to invest in training, equipment, technology and leadership development but you have legacy costs as well (pensions).
Delray is not the only city that has to figure it out.
We exist in a competitive landscape and if you want top talent you have to be competitive and stay competitive.
It’s not easy. But there’s no choice because these services are essential.
But here’s the flip side. There are benefits we derive. Some are measurable: crime stats and some aren’t (peace of mind, a feeling of safety in our homes, a knowledge that if my family is in trouble we can dial 911 and get quality help in minutes).

From my perspective as a nearly 40 year resident, the Delray Beach Police Department are the unsung heroes of our community. Without safety, you can’t get investment. Without safety, you can’t have quality of life. The work these men and women did over the past 40 plus years brought this city back from the brink. They have enabled immense value to be created.

Those benefits need to be in the discussion before you label a service too expensive. The Delray PD turned this town around. Period. End of story.
I am not saying that these departments are above scrutiny. They aren’t. They can’t be. But I am saying a honest discussion begins with an acknowledgement of costs, benefits and value.
Department heads are there to provide expert analysis. They are not there to play politics. In other words, stay in your lane.  That cuts both ways, elected officials are there to set policy not administer the day to day.
What I and many others heard last week was a political speech.
That’s a no-no.
If your morals and sensibilities are violated you have a choice—you can always leave.
But you can’t undermine. You can’t decide to only embrace and implement the policies you agree with.
If you want to be a politician, run for office.
If you want to tell everyone how smart you are and that you are surrounded by people without the political will to do the right thing well that’s your right but don’t be surprised if that attitude bites you hard.