#atxcouncil: Alter's act of pointless virtue signaling to cost Austinites $500k....

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, and cleave unto that which is good."
Romans 12:9

We had noticed they were doing this last week.  We thought it was dumb but didn't give it a lot of thought.  Then we saw this:

The next time the Austin Police Department rearms its more than 1,900 sworn officers, taxpayers can expect to pay as much as half a million dollars more than the last time the department purchased new weapons.

Rather than trade in the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handguns, the weapons will be destroyed unless an officer chooses to buy their handgun from the department, according to an ordinance passed with little discussion Thursday by the City Council.

....

The council did not ask the department to make a presentation at any time before the vote, nor did the department make a recommendation, according to Commander Mark Spangler, who is in charge of procuring ordinance as head of the APD Training Academy.

....

By trading in the old handguns, taxpayers saved $362,328. The department also expected to save $157,152 a year on its practice ammunition and $10,233 per year on its duty ammunition, he said.

....

Taxpayers can expect nothing in return as more than $1 million in sidearms will be destroyed, assuming none of the 1,908 sworn officers buys back his gun. Assuming the same savings as 2016, taxpayers will still be responsible for nearly $670,000 in firearms that will be destroyed.

Alter’s ordinance does not speak to the costs.

Here's the thing: Typically, we prefer to see them grandstand over national issues.  They don't have jurisdiction, and it takes up time that could otherwise be spent doing thinks like creating "sick leave" entitlements.  Or banning dockless scooters....

But, apparently, now we've gotten to the point where they cost us money even when they're grandstanding.

Bottom Line:  They've certainly done worse things, but this is highly obnoxious....