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Camden, NJ Rehires Some Laid-Off Cops And Firefighters

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - Dozens of police and firefighters are back on the streets of Camden, NJ, two and a half months after they -- and many more of their colleagues -- were laid off.

But how long they'll remain is an open question (see previous story).

After being sworn in for the second time in their careers, 55 officers and 31 firefighters are now back in uniform. But funding for all but 15 of them runs out at the end of June.

Firefighter Luis Sanchez cautiously looked ahead.

"I'm confident about what the city is going to do for us," he said.  "It's tough, but we have to at least be happy that we've got our jobs back for now."

And Mayor Dana Redd hopes that they'll have their jobs back for much longer.

"They're not going to be let go on July one," she said today.  "The discussion is focused on how we could enhance public safety going forward."

Those discussions include Governor Chris Christie's office, state legislators, Camden County officials, City Council, and municipal unions.

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But so far, finding a funding solution to everyone's liking has proven elusive.

Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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