Detroit News Lansing Bureau
Lansing - Attorney General Bill Schuette is likely to face resistance from Republican legislative leaders over his plan to use part of this year's $457 million budget surplus to put 1,000 more police officers on the streets.
Schuette was joined by Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee and other law enforcement leaders Wednesday to unveil a crime fighting plan that called for more cops, 25-year minimum sentences for four-time felony offenders, tougher sentences for public officials who commit crimes and other measures.
The state's top law enforcement official said he'd take $70 million for each of the next two years from Michigan's unexpected budget surplus and use it to hire 1,000 police officers.
It would be up to lawmakers to decide what happens when the two years are up, he said.
"We'll have more safety for Michigan families," Schuette said.
Ari Adler, spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, questioned whether taxpayers would be left holding the bag when funding for the new officers runs out.
"The attorney general has called for 1,000 more police officers without the resources to pay for them," Adler said.
"Mr. Schuette's plan uses one-time money for an ongoing spending commitment, which is not fiscally responsible. The days of buying something now and expecting our kids and grandkids to pay for it later are over in Lansing."
Amber McCann, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville of Monroe, said: "We agree that public safety is a priority, but we want to be cognizant of the long-term cost." Snyder pledged to make public safety a focus in 2012 during his State of the State address.
"The governor is focused on structural fixes that we can afford and are accounted for in the coming years," Snyder spokesman Sara Wurfel said when asked for reaction to Schuette's plan.
Snyder said his crime-fighting plan he is expected to announce in March will focus on three things: the criminal justice system, law enforcement and jobs.
In an interview with The Detroit News, the governor said he plans to increase officers in the field but wouldn't say by how many or whether he plans to increase the ranks of the Michigan State Police.
Snyder also said funding should be increased for law enforcement, but wouldn't say by how much.
He will present a budget to the Legislature on Feb. 9.
Godbee said Detroit's police force is down 1,200 officers since 2002.
Whatever formula is used to disperse the 1,000 officers, additional uniforms on the street will be a boon for the city, he said.
"Obviously the more we can get out of that formula the better, but I also have an understanding that crime is mobile and if we're going to prosper as a state and as a region there has to be reasonable gains surrounding Detroit also."
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