Al Pound: We need Measure G to ensure our safety
The other day, employees of a local business called the police to report a car theft in progress. They were told an officer would be there as soon as possible. The car was stolen.
This is not the fault of the police, but the fault of Modesto’s budget for police. Parks have deteriorated and bathrooms are closed on certain days. The tax increase proposed by Mayor Garrad Marsh under Measure G is the only smart move I see to correct the problem. It could have been approved the last time it came up, but conspiracy theories went around saying money raised would go to management raises or whatever.
It a great idea that the mayor put in the initiative having a watchdog group trailing the money. I have seen the reduction in police services over the last 10 or 15 years. I want a safer place to live. We need a leader willing to work to better the place we live in regardless of what the special interests think. No one likes higher taxes, but they want to enjoy our safety and our parks.
Al Pound, Modesto
This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Al Pound: We need Measure G to ensure our safety."