25-year police veteran to Toledo residents: "Buy guns. Invest in precious metals: lead, gun power and brass."

By Chad D. Baus

For the past several weeks, the Toledo Blade has been reporting on a severe budget short-fall that the City of Toledo has spent itself into.

After weeks of back-and-forth debate between Mayor Carty Finkbeiner - who is likely to be facing a recall at the ballot box this September - Toledo city council, and unions representing police and firefighters' unions, the Finkbeiner administration has announced plans to issue layoff notices to as many as 350 city employees. While not yet being specific as to who will be laid off, Councilman Frank ­Szollosi has introduced legislation that would eliminating the jobs of 151 police officers, 100 firefighters, and 90 nonsafety personnel.

When news of the potential police department layoffs and paycuts first circulated several weeks ago, a 25-year police veteran stated that "If I'm an average citizen of Toledo, I definitely would be concerned."

The unnamed veteran gave this advice to city residents:

The 25-year police veteran also told Toledo's FOX affiliate that fugitives and felons are well aware of what's going on.

"The gang element and the criminal element are getting a little bolder because they know there's not enough officers out there," he said.

The mayor's office and anti-gun Police Chief Michael Navarre have refused comment.