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Springfield to consider COVID-related budget cuts that would defund police by over $400K


(File/SBG)
(File/SBG)
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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — The Springfield City Council is meeting Monday to discuss possible budget cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic, and among those proposed cuts is a program providing body cameras for police officers.

The agenda for Monday's meeting proposes just over $840,000 in spending cuts. It suggests over half of that could come from Springfield Police.

The body camera program is facing a potential reduction of $350,000. Of course, this proposal comes as the nation deals with calls from protestors for more accountability from police.

Other suggestions for where the police could cut spending is by removing positions for officers and a records specialist.

The police aren't the only department facing cuts. The city is targeting around $365,000 to come from fire services, $75,000 from the city's finance department, close to $50,000 from the library, and from the city manager's office

The development and public works department also face a reduction of $33,000. Keep in mind all of these proposed reductions are still very much in the air.

The Springfield City Council plans to meet this Monday to discuss them further.

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