Philadelphia police begin slowdown over job cuts

Police in the nation's fourth-largest city began a work slowdown Wednesday to protest Philadelphia Mayor William J. Green's announcement that 738 police department employees would be laid off March 1. Charles Gallagher, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said the policemen would protect the public, but would ignore minor offenses.

The job action was in response to a televised speech Mayor Green made Monday night, announcing that 1,219 city workers would be laid off in an effort to close a projected budget gap of $167 million for next year.