Police union to council: We know where you live

In 2003, then-Fraternal Order of Police President Keith Fangman took credit for knocking Councilman Pat DeWine down a few pegs with an 11th hour campaign of recorded phone calls to registered Republican households. "Pat DeWine pretends to support law enforcement, but he does not," Fangman told likely voters, citing DeWine's vote against a police contract over the issue of civil service reform. DeWine, who finished third in 2001, dropped to sixth in 2003.

If the FOP will do that for a council campaign, what will they do when the mayor's office is at stake?

It's already started. The June edition of "FOP 26," the newsletter of the Queen City Lodge No. 69, lists the home addresses of the seven council members "responsible for targeting and injuring our families." At the top of the list are Democratic mayoral candidates David Pepper and Alicia Reece, followed by every other Democrat and Charterite on City Council.

No apologies from FOP President Harry Roberts.

"They are hurting us. They are hurting us where it really counts," said Roberts, upset at the 7-2 vote March 2 to accept a state mediator's report. That report ultimately resulted in the city cutting health care benefits for officers who use their health insurance most often. (Other city unions have gotten similar cuts.)

"That newsletter is just the beginning," Roberts said.

Roberts said the FOP plans to invite all the mayoral candidates in for interviews with the endorsement committee. And while a formal endorsement won't come for several weeks, it's no secret that the FOP likes Republican Charlie Winburn."It will be refreshing to have a police supporter in the race," Roberts said.