This is in response to the Feb. 8 story “VPD to add 61 officers by 2020.” Maybe increasing the number of police by rehiring the 23 laid off from the 2008 recession is OK, but the additional 38 is out of line.
There has not been a corresponding population growth or growth in crime and traffic problems to justify the increase.
The police department’s budget will increase from $38.6 million to $50 million, and paying for it includes surcharges on multifamily rentals and other new and increased taxes.
Vancouver is desperately in need of street repairs and other programs that need funding. The city needs to work together to get things done.
These new taxes are paying for something that cannot be justified.
