(WICHITA, Kan.) — Before the City of Wichita cuts $8 million out of its budget, council members want to hear from you. Tuesday is the first of three public hearings on the 2011-2012 budget. The hearing starts at 9AM during the regular council meeting. The manager proposes restructuring departments and laying off about 65 people to make up a lot of the shortfall.
Some of that restructuring is happening in the Wichita police department. Officer's that spent time in elementary and middle schools will be put back on the street. That means students will no longer receive safety classes from officers.
"I feel real disappointed," said Tina Jones about the proposed cuts. She's not happy the city wants to take school liaison officers out of elementary schools to save about $83,000. This is on top of the school district's decision to remove school resource officer's out of all middle schools.
Wichita looking to take officers out of elementary schools
"My kids have had the positive influence of these liaison officers and I appreciate that. I would like for the kids in my neighborhood my nieces and nephews to have that same positive influence by having these officer's available to them in the school district," Jones said.
The two liaison officers taught about 2,000 classes a year. They focused on things like stranger danger, gangs and gun safety. The police department admits it's a good program and helps students. But in a tough budget year, police say the primary focus has to be keeping officers on the street. "To answer 911 calls. That is first and foremost our priority," said Captain Joe Dessenberger.
He says it's not ideal but they feel putting the officers back on patrol is the best way to keep citizens safe. Jones disagrees. "I really think it weighs better in the schools. I think we need to have that positive reinforcement," she said. She's hoping the city council sees it her way and votes to keep the program going. She sent them a letter voicing her opinion.
If approved by the City Council, the two school liaison officer will be put back on the streets. It saves the city money because those patrol positions are open and already budgeted.
