Posted by private eye, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on May 3, 2009 at 8:10 pm

I am surprised that this post has stayed up for as long as it has.

I have seen other posts mildly critical of the Atherton PD that have lasted for less than an hour.

According to the memorandum of understanding between the Town of Atherton and the Atherton Police Officers Association, Atherton Police Officers are paid at the 70th percentile of a group of other municipalities surveyed.

So if Menlo Park and other municipalities have their salaries cut, so will the Atherton PD's.

If this occurs and if it is a trend that continues, perhaps in due time one might think the residents of Atherton will get their money's worth.

However for that to occur, the Atherton PD would have to both obey and enforce the law.

Until that happens, I'll be lobbying for some other jurisdiction to take over.

Posted by Common sense, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on May 3, 2009 at 9:55 pm

I wasn't aware that Atherton officers get salaries at the 70th percentile of surrounding communities. Does that mean that the recent enormous raise that Menlo Park sergeants got will result in an even greater raise for Atherton sergeants? Menlo Park residents are up in arms about that salary point, and if the salary point for Atherton automatically becomes greater this is an issue of some concern for the community, particularly when there are large deficits.

By the way, is anyone aware of the justification for the 70th percentile figure. It seems high.