People in Springfield are threatening to sue the city for not having enough police officers.
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As reported News Center 7 at 6:00 am, The city charter requires there to be no fewer than 124 sworn officers on staff, up from 119 currently.
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Some residents say they want the city to pay for the issue.
On Tuesday, community members raised their concerns at the city commission meeting.
“I was here six weeks ago and I asked for my money back because we didn’t have enough police because of the levy we were paying,” Springfield resident Mike Lowe said.
Lowe asked the commissioners if they had received a letter from an attorney about the amount of police in Springfield.
Springfield Legal Director Jill Allen said she had not received that letter.
“As you know, the city charter, combined with an additional tax levy in 2017, requires a full-time police force of 130 officers, sworn officers, to be on the streets,” Lowe said.
City Manager Brian Heck explained that the city statute is a minimum of 124 officers.
When the levy was passed in 2017, their goal was to employ 130 officers to patrol the community.
City leaders responded, saying they are actively working to hire more officers.
“If we were just sitting on our hands and not actively trying to hire officers, fine, but we are active. Since January 2022, we have had nine separate government departments to try to hire and get enough officers,” said Springfield City Manager Brian Heck. said.
Lowe told the city they had two weeks to respond to the letter or legal action will be taken.
News Center 7 contacted the law firm for the letter but was told they were free today.
We will continue to follow this story.
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