Police grant for 4 new officers - does PD feel stretched to you?

Was reading through the July city council agenda (finally, I know) and saw they had a resolution to apply for a federal COPS Hiring grant that would pay for four more police officers. The property tax ordinances were on there too, so that's the other thing people will have opinions on.

I honestly don't know how thin the department is. I just know that when we had a car break-in on our street last spring it took a good while for anyone to come out, and it was a Saturday during ball season so I figured everybody was tied up. Anybody else had to wait on a non-emergency call? And on the flip side, anyone had a fast response, like a few minutes?

I also like the jobs side of it. Four more positions is four more local families, if they hire from around here. But I'd like to know what happens when the grant money runs out, who covers the salaries then?

Curious what people in different parts of town are seeing, Hwy 5 side vs out toward Springhill.

Out toward Springhill its always been a wait, been that way a long time. Those COPS grants usualy pay for about 3 yrs then the city has to keep the officers on its own dime, thats the catch you asked about. Id still say 4 more is probly needed with how much this town has grown. Just watch what they do on the millage tho, it allways ends up in our tax bill somehow

Ronald's right about the catch. When those grants run out the city has to find the money in its own budget, and I'd rather they say up front where it's coming from than find out in December. I don't mind paying for officers. I just want to know what it does to the tax bill.

I've been out on Shobe Road a long time, and when we first moved here you hardly ever saw a patrol car, but you also hardly ever needed one. The town is a lot bigger now. Last time I called about somebody driving through the ditch at the corner, it was a good while before anyone came. They were nice about it when they did.

I'll be reading those property tax ordinances line by line this year. Anyone who went to the meeting, did they say how the salaries get covered after year three?