While I enjoyed this show as a crime documentary, I found some of the topic matter too political and not related to the story. The 2016 Presidential election has absolutely no bearing on the day to day lives of these Policeman, yet we are treated to a bunch of anti-Trump protesting by city residents. While it's ironic that Flint's residence have been governed by Democrats for many decades, politicians are never identified as Democrats, not are their policies tied to Flint's problems - which they most certainly are.
And this was the most glaring omission which was totally danced around in the eighth episode where the police make a drive to raise taxes for "more officers." Residents complain that they voted for more millage before, but no one was ever hired. That's because Flint - like Detroit and so many other urban areas - is drowning in pension debt. Extravagant pensions were used to buy votes from city workers, but as industry collapsed and populations decline, remaining residents are saddled with out sized pension obligations from rosier times. Pension payments for retired workers eclipse actual payroll in many urban areas.
Finally, the decision to turn off Detroit water and use Flint's rotten lead lined water system was made by Flint's government in a desperate measure to trim expenses -- pensions are due you know -- yet that dreadful decision is portrayed more as the Republican governors fault then the town's own government which made the call.
And this was the most glaring omission which was totally danced around in the eighth episode where the police make a drive to raise taxes for "more officers." Residents complain that they voted for more millage before, but no one was ever hired. That's because Flint - like Detroit and so many other urban areas - is drowning in pension debt. Extravagant pensions were used to buy votes from city workers, but as industry collapsed and populations decline, remaining residents are saddled with out sized pension obligations from rosier times. Pension payments for retired workers eclipse actual payroll in many urban areas.
Finally, the decision to turn off Detroit water and use Flint's rotten lead lined water system was made by Flint's government in a desperate measure to trim expenses -- pensions are due you know -- yet that dreadful decision is portrayed more as the Republican governors fault then the town's own government which made the call.