ST. LOUIS • The city released a $9.4 million budget proposal on Wednesday to put more police officers on the streets to help fight a growing crime wave.
City officials had previously announced their intent to add 160 officers to the police force over the next two years, but hadn’t disclosed how they would pay for it. On Wednesday, they said most of the money would come from increases in fees.
The proposed revenue sources, some of which would have to be put before city voters, are:
• A 5 percent increase in the parking garage tax ($2.6 million)
• A graduated business license fee increase to account for inflation ($1.5 million)
• An increase in the auto license tax to account for inflation ($1.4 million)
• Red-light camera ticket fines, if the city’s program is reinstated ($3.5 million)
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• Expected saving from a reduction in vehicle maintenance costs ($400,000).
The proposal was scheduled to be discussed Wednesday by the city’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment committee, but the meeting was canceled after . Officials said the meeting will be rescheduled soon.
أغر؟´«أ½ Mayor Francis Slay and Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, foes in the 2013 mayoral race who often argued over approaches to crime, have endorsed the proposal. They make up two-thirds of the estimate board, which would have to vote on the plan.
“We have made great progress in reducing crime,†Slay said in a statement. “But, too many of our citizens live in fear. And since August, violent crime has been going up. We should not be satisfied until all parents feel comfortable letting their kids play outside after dinner, until all senior citizens feel at ease in their own homes, and until all neighborhoods are safe.â€
Reed said, however, the deal isn’t final and is subject to upcoming debate.
The stakes are especially high for Slay, whose administration successfully lobbied to for the first time in 152 years. Now, with the city in control of its police department, politicians have more potential culpability on the crime issue.
The budget plan would allocate $8 million to add 160 police officers over two years; $1 million for crime prevention programs targeted to at-risk individuals; and $400,000 to better prepare officers for community policing, customer service and bias recognition. Officials are still looking for additional millions to outfit 1,000 police officers with body cameras to record their interactions with the public.
The push for more officers comes as أغر؟´«أ½ leaders try to assure residents, visitors and business owners that the city is safe. Many neighborhoods have seen decreases in crime over the years and increases in population, but that progress could be threatened.
The city’s homicide rate is up over last year. Since August, أغر؟´«أ½ has seen at least a 6 percent increase in “crimes against persons.†Among those making headlines were a series of violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by and .
“With the increase in police officer manpower, we can increase citizen safety within the neighborhoods, increase trust between the community and our police department by establishing broader and more sustained community relations programs, and increase the level of diversity in our police force,†Reed said.
The city police department isn’t the only regional force looking for more officers. أغر؟´«أ½ County Police Chief Jon Belmar told his board of police commissioners Wednesday that he will be asking the County Council to add 120 officers to his force.
His proposal calls for 30 officers to be added each year for the next four years.
Belmar’s goal is to make two-man cars the standard in the county’s North County precinct. Had Darren Wilson been riding in a two-man car, it’s “highly likely,†that Michael Brown might still be alive, Belmar told them.
Christine Byers of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
