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Saturday, November 03, 2007

St. Paul / Businesses get grants for security

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Blogger Bob said...

St. Paul / Businesses get grants for security
Highland council passes on city funds for off-duty cops
Pioneer Press

Article Last Updated: 11/02/2007 12:23:38 AM CDT


St. Paul's Highland District Council unanimously approved a measure Thursday night to offer grants to area businesses to hire off-duty police officers.

Highland Park residents are concerned about crime in the neighborhood and want additional police presence. They came up with an idea to use $10,000 from a crime-prevention grant, which all of St. Paul's district councils receive from the city, to hire off-duty police officers.

The original proposal was voted down during the district council's October meeting. In that version, with the district council hiring the off-duty St. Paul officers, there were concerns about who the officers would be reporting to and whether the council could face liability issues.

The measure that passed Thursday alleviated those concerns.

Businesses, which could include apartment complexes and shopping centers, will apply for grants from the Highland District Council and hire off-duty officers themselves. The district council would reimburse them for 75 percent of the cost.

While businesses frequently hire off-duty police officers, the Highland District Council is believed to be the first in the city to offer grants for such a purpose.

The money must be used by the end of the year.

An amendment was made to offer grants to businesses to install security cameras. It did not pass, but the district council expressed interest in pursuing such a plan in the future.

- Mara H. Gottfried

6:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If we have to hire the Police out of our pocket, what the hell are we paying taxes for?

10:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

10:37 AM
Who care about the taxpayers.
Squeeze them till hit hurts, then squeeze them some more.

12:34 PM  

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