By Joanna Putman
Police1
RIPLEY, Ohio — An Ohio town has proposed cutting its police budget and staff by 50%, WLWT reported.
If passed, the proposal would leave the department with only three officers and multiple hours each day with no cops on duty, according to the report.
The department budget was $600,000 last year, due to the sale of a government building and excess funding in the city’s general fund. This year’s budget will likely return to the police budget from previous years, which was around $300,000, according to the report.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow, as I’m sure as it is for you,” said Police Chief Corey Herren. “We’re going to have to lay some people off.”
The town council is expected to officially set a police budget in a meeting on Feb. 13, according to the report.