From the Orange County Register on October 24

By Judy A. Dickinson

The reporter writes, "[If the police are effective in Placentia,] the result likely would be even higher police salaries, less accountability and more cutbacks in non-police services." This is one reason why the union will not negotiate a new contract until after the election.

In Placentia, the police union is trying to take out two council members because they tried to find out how much other police departments pay for police services, according to their targets. Critics claim heavy-handed police tactics during the election, including uniformed police officers asking residents to place signs in their yard.

The police-backed candidates, former police chief Russ Rice, activist Joe Aguirre and incumbent Connie Underhill, are facing off against incumbents Judy Dickinson and Scott Brady. "If the police are effective in Placentia and take over City Hall to take care of themselves, who is next?" asks Brady.

It's a good question. The result likely would be even higher police salaries, less accountability and more cutbacks in non-police services.