To the editor:

One of the primary functions of city government is to protect the citizens of the community. As a result of actions by the state government, the city has been unable to fund plans to increase the number of police officers. Fort Dodge is feeling the strain as violence rises and wait times have increased for emergency responses. The force is dealing with more calls for service which leads to excessive overtime, burnout and retention issues because of staff shortages. The franchise fee proposal on utilities that is on the ballot Sept. 10 will enable the city to hire eight additional officers to handle the increased workload they are facing.

Increased police presence is the key to discouraging crime while boosting people’s confidence in the safety of our community. When police hires increase, crime goes down. Additional officers will also allow for increased training time and more interaction with community members, allowing them to become more proactive – preventing issues that can escalate into serious problems.

Investing in local police forces is a practical way to reduce violence and the proposed franchise fee will provide the funding necessary to enable this to happen. I encourage you to join me in supporting the passage of the franchise fee on utilities for the increase in police officers Sept. 10.

Terry Moehnke

Former city councilman

Fort Dodge