Indy Council Clears Funding For More Police
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis City-County Council has approved an increase in the public safety tax rate to fund the addition of about 280 Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers by 2018. Council Minority Leader Michael McQuillen says the new hires will result in the largest police force in the department's history.
September 8, 2014
Statement from Mayor Greg Ballard on City-County Council Public Safety Income Tax Vote
“The City-County Council tonight took action on one piece of my plan to make Indy safer by providing part of the money needed to hire more police officers. The funding approved tonight is $2.5 million less than we requested for IMPD. I hope to continue working with the Council on a plan to fully fund IMPD and our initiative to make high-quality pre-K affordable to children from low-income families in Indy. It will take more than just hiring additional police to make our city safer; we must address the root causes of crime as well.”
September 8, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Tonight, the City-County Council passed Republican sponsored Proposal 248 to provide funding to hire over 280 new IMPD officers by 2018. Once hired, IMPD will have the largest police force in the department's history. The proposal passed with bi-partisan support – with only Christine Scales and Democrats voting against hiring new police officers.
“I'm very pleased this Republican sponsored proposal to hire additional police officers has passed the City-County Council.” said Council Minority Leader Michael McQuillen.
“However, hiring more police officers is not enough. We agree with Mayor Ballard that a comprehensive strategy to attack crime is needed. That's why Council Republicans will continue to be strongly supportive of Proposal 268, that will provide pre-k education for thousands of low-income children.”
Council Proposal 268 would provide $25 million, matched by $25 million in private money, to make affordable, high-quality preschool available for children from low-income families. This proposal has been referred to the Council's Administration and Finance Committee.
Numerous studies have show that kids who attend high-quality preschool get better grades as they grow older and are less likely to violate the law as a juvenile and an adult. The funding for this proposal has been recommended by both the Council's IMPD Staffing Commission and the Local Homestead Credit Review Commission. It will eliminate the homestead deduction for homeowners, but will not affect the $45,000 state homestead exemption.
“We need to pass Proposal 268 to keep our city safe, and give all of the kids in our community a chance to succeed.” Said McQuillen.
Source: Office of City-County said Council Minority Leader Michael McQuillen