SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The subject Tuesday was police cars, and Springfield Ald. Jennifer Notariano saw an opening to complain that her interest in a mental health program for officers is going nowhere.
“It’s just interesting to see us use so much money for the police every year,” Notariano said, “and we can’t spare $75,000 for a program that would help the officers and help the community.”
The program was not included in the budget for the current fiscal year. The police department wants to buy ten Ford Explorer Police Interceptors (pictured) at $62,000 each. Notariano says the mental health program would cost less than two Explorers.
Ald. Ralph Hanauer said Notariano is going about her priorities incorrectly. “Our job isn’t to push a product. That’s an administrative function, in my mind,” said Hanauer. “It should come from the police department and the administration.”
Ald. Roy Williams said the days of handing the police department a blank check are over. “Are there other ways to do things? Can we take some money from here and put it here?” he asked of police chief Joe Behl. “If you’re going to be the chiefs or the department heads, you’ve got to come with your homework. We’re lopsided right now. Everything goes to a couple of departments. The rest are suffering. The city is in horrible shape”
A vote on the Explorers is Oct. 20.
