LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Gov. Rick Snyder has set aside additional funding in his budget proposal for an increased Michigan State Police presence in Muskegon, Benton Harbor and other high-crime cities.
Trooper count has already grown 13 percent under Snyder’s watch.
Now, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley says Snyder is asking for another $9.5 million that will be put toward the operation of an academy. It’ll also help pay for 85 new troopers.
“You’ll see that there’s been a systematic reinvestment in the state police force, trying to rebuild it after it had really been shrinking over the past decade,” Calley said.
It would be an expansion of a program that has reduced violent crime in the Detroit, Flint and Saginaw areas.
Snyder is also asking for $8.5 million to hire 350 new prison officers.
– Anthony Pollreisz
