When the City of North Las Vegas announced plans to cut 83 positions within its police department, including 17 officers, residents were understandably upset. The city many refer to as “Northtown” already struggles with a reputation as crime-ridden, and law enforcement reductions aren’t likely to translate into a friendlier image. What helps even less? The billboards erected last month by the NLV Police Officers Association, some of which ominously state, “We can no longer guarantee your safety.” Meant to instill fear and prompt residents to contact City Council in anger over the cuts, the billboards come off as childish, with an underlying tone that suggests the police force’s attitude is to give up, sit back and watch crime rise instead of attempting to do what they can with less. The harsh reality is that NLV faces a budget shortfall topping $30 million. That money has to come from somewhere.