Attempts to reduce the budget of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department have backfired. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed Senate Bill 678 into law, increasing the department’s budget from at least 20 percent of Kansas City’s general revenue per fiscal year to 25 percent.
“In Missouri, we defend our law enforcement officers who answer the call each and every day to protect and serve Missourians,” he said. “We don’t defund them. With crime on the rise in cities across the country, we are signing SB 678 to ensure that the KCPD is receiving the necessary resources to support public safety and combat violent crime. We take pride in Missouri’s cities, but we refuse to stand idly by and allow criminals to run free. With the help of law enforcement, the business community and local partners, we are putting shared solutions to work to combat crime in our state.”
Under current law, the city of Kansas City is required to provide at least 20 percent of its general revenue per fiscal year to the Kansas City Board of Police. With the passage of this bill, the required annual funding to the board for the KCPD will increase to 25 percent of the city’s general revenue funds per fiscal year.
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“I’m grateful for Gov. Parson standing with the brave men and women of the KCPD,” said Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, who sponsored of SB 678 in the Senate. “At a time of historic high in crime in Kansas City, we need to be supporting our police, not defunding them.”
Rep. Chris Brown agreed.
“It was a privilege to sponsor Sen. Luetkemeyer’s bill in the Missouri House,” he said. “I will always work to support and promote law enforcement in our city. Safe streets translate to stronger communities, better schools and a more promising business environment. However, it all starts with public safety and law enforcement.”
The new law, which features an emergency clause, will take effect for this fiscal year.
–Dwight Widaman
