On Monday, the council will be evaluating their budget, and one item that could be facing a major reduction of funds is the body-worn cameras program.
The jail with spray paint.
Decreasing funding to the police might become a reality in springfield -- as city council discusses covid-19 budget cuts.
But among the items that could see reduced funding is the city's body camera program.
Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy has reaction on the proposal.
Derrick: "i think it's an awful idea."
This is just one of the many voices concerned about one of agenda items on monday night's meeting for the springfield city council: the proposed reduction of funds toward the body-worn camera program for officers.
Derrick: "when youre trying to solve a problem, the solution has to solve the problem.
Taking cameras away is not solving the problem.
It keeps everyone honest and accountable."
Just three months ago, the council moved*forward with the creation of this program... since then, the council has had to make some tough decisions about budget cuts across the city... for the body cams program-- there's a proposed cut of $350,000.
Bridge: when the council evaluated this in february, they said that the body worn camera program would cost over 1.3 million dollars.
But as some residents say, this type of accountability is worth the money.
William: "body cams are an essential part of law enforcement.
If they do any type of cuts, they should not cut that out because it keeps officers, honestly honest because they know they are always being watched."
Also being considered are cuts to services within the library, finance department and i-t... including the elimination of various positions.
Derrick: "you get rid of the bad cop.
You don't get rid of the program.
Just get rid of the individual whos making the program bad."
Springfield mayor christine lundberg spoke out on saturday with her support for the*full funding of body-worn cameras for police, saying that she didn't want to wait until monday night's meeting make her perspective known.
Reporting in springfield, kennedy dendy kezi
Natasha Brown reports.
Howard Monroe reports.
