KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The 2022 Kalamazoo City budget has several provisions for expanding law enforcement reform while updating equipment and other necessities.
Commissioners met in a special session to take a close look at the budget proposal Monday.
Some of their proposed budget hikes will expand criminal justice reform efforts in the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS). The rest will be spent on replacing obsolete facilities and worn out equipment.
Chief Vernon Coakley says a new director of Social Services has just come on board to redirect calls for help to appropriate agencies.
“[They will be] Directing those who are most vulnerable to the dedicated services within KDPS and the city of Kalamazoo, and use the resources within our community to do so,” Coakley said.
He says they are intensifying efforts to make sure that domestic violence calls result in real solutions.
“We want to make sure that they get the services they need,” Coakley said. “We don’t just want to hand them a card after the report is taken and leave them to chance.”
In addition, KDPS is rebuilding its Gun Violence Intervention program after it took a hit during the pandemic, focusing restorative justice towards younger violators.
“New to this is technology that has become available to assist us and pinpoint those areas and people who are causing the most trauma within our community,” Coakley said.
Commissioner Esteven Juarez says he is supportive of the efforts at reform.
“The first responder calls, the fire calls, you guys do a tremendous job and its a lot, so we commend you for the work you do,” Juarez said.
Public Safety accounts for 43% of the city’s General Fund budget and less than 15% of their total annual spending.
— Copy Written by John McNeil —
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