The Board of Estimates denied additional funding to provide more police officers downtown in a budget amendment meeting Monday.
The amendment, which is part of the Downtown Safety Initiative, would provide an additional $35,000 to the Madison Police Department for peak service times downtown and in surrounding areas and fund protection for State Street.
The DSI protects the community by providing more policing and implementing programs to reduce violent crimes, including security cameras and community policing efforts.
The board didn’t pass the amendment because they were uncertain how MPD would use the money.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, one of the alders sponsoring the amendment, explained how the lack of extra officers meant patrol officers could be pulled from responding to other crimes to come downtown and deal with critical incidents.
“I think this program has proven its worth, its value, time and time again over the years,” Verveer said in the meeting.
“We’re going to need additional staffing on the weekends,” interim Police Chief Randy Gaber said. “It is a predictable use of overtime funding.”
Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, also questioned whether the University of Wisconsin-Madison is contributing to weekend policing needs. The MPD said the university pays some officers overtime on game days.
Alders also proposed an amendment to the Community Development Block Grant, which would provide $40,000 in funding to support shower facilities, lockers, port-a-potties and laundry for homeless individuals.
Richard Antonio, a representative for the Homeless Issues Committee, spoke about and showed support for the grant.
“Where are we to shower?” Antonio asked. He highlighted the importance of being able to take a shower before going into a job interview and being able to stay warm and dry during the winter.
“We have people whose basic human dignity is being violated,” said Ald. Lisa Subeck, District 1, when addressing the lack of public bathrooms on State Street.
The board decided to table the amendment until the next Common Council meeting Nov. 5.
Thirteen alders sponsored increased funding by $150,000 for the Overture Center Foundation, bringing the total budget to $1.6 million. The board approved the amendment, although the total is still less than last year’s budget.
