LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shining the truth on Governor Schwarzenegger's dangerous pension proposal, the public safety community is banding together to bring their fight to the airwaves. In a significant radio buy, the Los Angeles Police Protective League will run a series of radio ads to communicate the devastating reality of the pension initiative to Southern California voters. Separate ads, paid for by California Families against Privatizing Retirement (CFAPR), are already airing in the Central Valley.
"The Governor is ducking into well-guarded hotels to drum up money from special interests, to fund his attempt to destroy the California public pension system. It is important that we convey the truth about the damage the Governor's pension scheme will do to law enforcement, and to highlight the 'true lies' the Governor and his spokesmen have been dispensing," said LAPPL President Bob Baker.
As the Attorney General's summary accurately and succinctly highlights, Schwarzenegger's initiative "eliminates death and disability benefits." This would leave the families of future slain and disabled officers financially destitute.
The true depth of the folly of Schwarzenegger's initiative is only underscored every time he tries to deny that it takes away death and disability benefits. He can't admit that he is eliminating death and disability benefits, as he and his handlers know that the public will overwhelmingly reject the initiative.
"His attempt to squelch opposition to his pension initiative by proclaiming he won't take away death and disability benefits from police officers and firefighters doesn't mesh with reality," said Baker. "Clearly, Schwarzenegger knows if he communicated the actual callous truth of his pension scheme, voters would be disgusted."
Three ads will begin airing on Southern California radio stations starting Wednesday, March 30. The ads feature the widows of slain Los Angeles Police Officer Thomas Williams, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy David March and Alameda County Sheriff's Deputy John Monego who discuss the critical importance of their husbands' death benefits after their devastating loss.
"The Governor is callously turning his back on law enforcement, and proposing a heartless 401(k) as compensation to families for the sacrifice of their loved ones - it's simply cruel. Police officers and firefighters throughout California will not be cowed by a Governor whose only response to those who tell the truth is to call them 'special interests.' The Governor's resort to name calling, and deceitfulness are tired political tactics that will not work with the voters. We cannot accept the Governor's 'assurance' that he has 'no intention' of eliminating death and disability benefits. The facts say otherwise - and so do police officers and firefighters," said Baker.
By April 21, the Governor needs 600,000 signatures to place his pension initiative on the ballot. We urge all voters to oppose Schwarzenegger's reckless plan by refusing to sign this petition.
BACKGROUND ON OUR FALLEN HEROES
Detective Thomas C. Williams was ambushed and assassinated in order to prevent him from testifying in an upcoming robbery trial. The incident occurred on Halloween in 1985, in front of his son at his son's school.
Deputy March was shot and killed after stopping a car. The suspect had stated to friends that he would kill any police officer who stopped him. The suspect, who was identified shortly after the shooting, fled to Mexico where he remains at large.
Deputy Sheriff John Monego was killed thirteen days before Christmas in 1998, when a robbery suspect shot him six times at close range, after he responded to a 911 hang-up call, leaving behind his widow, a law enforcement officer, alone with their eighteen-month-old child. Tammy Monego expresses her concern that without a pension, future children in similar circumstances would have no financial resources if both their parents were killed in the line of duty.
To hear the ads, go the www.LAPD.com
TRANSCRIPTS OF RADIO SPOTS
Norma Williams Ad
My name is Norma Williams. In 1985, I got the call that every police officer's wife dreads. My husband, LAPD Detective Thomas Williams, had been killed in order to prevent him from testifying at a trial.
I was left alone with two young children. Moving forward from that day was difficult in many ways, but death and disability benefits helped us to make it financially.
Now, Governor Schwarzenegger wants to eliminate death and disability benefits for all future government employees, including police officers. If you're asked to sign a petition to put the governor's pension plan on the ballot, please say no. According to the Attorney General, this plan will eliminate all death and disability benefits for law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty. If you value the job that our police officers, firefighters and rescue workers do to protect you and your family, please don't sign this petition. Tell your friends and family that the governor's plan will hurt the families of those who die keeping California safe.
Signing this petition will be signing away the hopes of widows like me. Please, don't do it.
Paid for by the Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC.
Teri March Ad
My name is Teri March. On April 29th, 2002, I got the call that every family member of a law enforcement officer dreads. My husband, Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff David March had been gunned down by a killer who had vowed to kill any Police Officer who stopped him. .
I was left alone with my young daughter. Moving forward from that day was difficult in many ways, but death and disability benefits helped us to make it financially.
Now, Governor Schwarzenegger wants to eliminate death and disability benefits for all future government employees, including police officers. According to the Attorney General, this plan will eliminate all death and disability benefits for law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty. If you value the job that our police officers and fire fighters do to protect you and your family, please don't sign this petition. Tell your friends and family that the governor's plan will hurt the families of those who die keeping California safe.
Signing this petition will be signing away the hopes of widows like me. Please, don't do it.
Paid for by the Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC.
Tammy Monego Ad
My name is Tammy Monego. Just before Christmas in 1998, I got the call that every family member of a law enforcement officer dreads. My husband, Alameda County Deputy Sheriff John Monego, had been shot six times at close range, by a robbery suspect. I was left alone with a young son. Moving forward from that day was difficult in many ways, but death and disability benefits helped us to make it financially.
Now, Governor Schwarzenegger wants to eliminate death and disability benefits for all future government employees, including police officers. If you're asked to sign a petition to put the governor's pension plan on the ballot, please say no. According to the Attorney General, this plan will eliminate all death and disability benefits for law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty. If you value the job that our police officers and firefighters do to protect you and your family, please don't sign this petition. Tell your friends and family that the governor's plan will hurt the families of those who die keeping California safe.
I am a Law Enforcement Officer and I know that one day, I too could die in the line of duty. Signing the governor's petition will be signing away the security of future officer's families. Please, don't do it.
Paid for by the Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC.
About the LAPPL
Formed in 1922, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,000 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com