Police Fear MAPS 3 Projects Could Strain Force

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Some of Oklahoma City's finest speaking out against MAPS 3. They're not happy with the timing of the proposal. They're worried it could cause problems for an already strapped police force.

Tomorrow, city council and the mayor will consider authorizing MAPS 3 to go to a vote of the people.

The Fraternal Order of Police president will be at the meeting to voice his concerns.

This will be the second city council meeting in a row that FOP President Gil Hensley will tell city leaders his problems with MAPS 3.

"There are two or three of the projects that will obviously create problems for law enforcement," Hensley said.

MAPS 3 would extend a one cent sales tax to fund a new central park, a transit system, as well as a new convention center. All of which, will require more downtown police manpower.

"The people patrolling Bricktown, keeping people safe there had to come from somewhere, they came from the very pool of people who answer the 911 response calls now," Hensley said.

Hensley says Oklahoma City police haven't increased staff in 20 years and now the force is at a critical shortage.

"Where are the officers going to come from; there's just nowhere to bring them from," Hensley said.

The city's current revenue woes could mean mid-year department cuts. Although, major Mick Cornett says the public safety budget will be the last on the chopping block. Even still, Hensley questions the timing of MAPS 3.

"The true resolution here, we believe, is to dedicate additional money to public safety, or all city services for that matter and that can be done through a dedicated tax or the general fund," Hensley said.

And Mayor Cornett says MAPS 3 will increase the city's tax base, which could mean more money to fund public safety such as hiring more police officers.