Only half a dozen Titusville police officers were scheduled for duty on the city's first furlough day, but police said nearly 20 had to be pulled back on duty Friday.
Titusville police said the officers showed up on Smith Drive when a Brevard County man facing eviction barricaded himself inside his home and told sheriff's deputies he wasn't going anywhere.
Officers said the tenant wasn't a danger to himself or anyone else, but reached that conclusion only after a SWAT team arrived.
Timothy Blake, a neighbor, said he's had enough.
"Here we go again," Blake said, referring to a triple shooting back in September that occurred in the same location.
Two people died, and Blake was shot 11 times. One of his neighbors, William Woodward, was charged with that crime.
"I've had enough of this. As soon as I can, I'm getting the hell out of here, go live in a tree house or something," Blake said.
After today's incident, most of the officers called out to the scene went back off-duty. All non-emergency personnel at the public works and fire departments were already off-duty and City Hall was closed.
Ronni Childs, a resident, said that's not public service.
"They're closed through the day and I can't get through by phone," Childs said.
City leaders believe a bi-monthly furlough is necessary to keep the city's battered pension plan afloat, in addition to an extra $3.3 million from taxpayers.
The man who barricaded himself inside his home isn't facing any charges.
A second unpaid day is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7.
Titusville police said the officers showed up on Smith Drive when a Brevard County man facing eviction barricaded himself inside his home and told sheriff's deputies he wasn't going anywhere.
Officers said the tenant wasn't a danger to himself or anyone else, but reached that conclusion only after a SWAT team arrived.
Timothy Blake, a neighbor, said he's had enough.
"Here we go again," Blake said, referring to a triple shooting back in September that occurred in the same location.
Two people died, and Blake was shot 11 times. One of his neighbors, William Woodward, was charged with that crime.
"I've had enough of this. As soon as I can, I'm getting the hell out of here, go live in a tree house or something," Blake said.
After today's incident, most of the officers called out to the scene went back off-duty. All non-emergency personnel at the public works and fire departments were already off-duty and City Hall was closed.
Ronni Childs, a resident, said that's not public service.
"They're closed through the day and I can't get through by phone," Childs said.
City leaders believe a bi-monthly furlough is necessary to keep the city's battered pension plan afloat, in addition to an extra $3.3 million from taxpayers.
The man who barricaded himself inside his home isn't facing any charges.
A second unpaid day is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7.
WFTV
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