BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
The Free Lance-Star
Since late spring, a group of Fredericksburg protesters have requested the city âdefund the police,â or redirect resources to crime prevention rather than law enforcement.
City Council has taken the opposite approach.
Members voted unanimously Tuesday night to amend the budget to provide additional resources to law enforcement and court security personnel.
The amendment provides all sworn law enforcement, communications and sheriff personnel a $3,500 increase in annual salary.
The starting pay for a new officer will go from $46,518 to $50,018.
City Manager Tim Baroody has also been directed to include a proposal in next yearâs recommended budget to increase the allowances for post-retirement health insurance benefits for public safety personnel.