Government
Officials split over proposal for more cops
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By PATRICK HOWARD
Capital News Service
LANSING – Local officials are divided over a proposal to use $140 million of the state’s budget surplus to put 1,000 new cops and deputies on the street. Mason County Undersheriff Tom Trenner said the addition of officers is a positive thing, especially in such tough economic times. Trenner also said that with local departments depleted, there is a demand for more officers. He said the cuts to revenue sharing have slowed officers’ response time to reported crimes, making the public less safe. However, Attorney Gen. Bill Schuette’s initiative — $140 million investment for 1,000 cops over a two-year span — has its critics as well.