OpEd; Recession Brings Decline in Service for Public Responders?

Traditionally in the insurance business, when there is a recession, folks drive less, and thus because auto rates are held even, there are less accidents and there is more profits for insurance companies...so they love it. In recession, say in Evansville, Wisconsin, here is what the Police Report for September 2012 says: "Evansville Police Report – There were 1006 calls for service for the month of August, 2012 compared to 1243 in July of 2011. We had 76 license plate transactions for the month of September." This is a 20% decline in service request from last year. So in reviewing the upcoming budget year, what is your call? Will there be a request for increased expenses or less? You make the call.