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Lewiston council split on proposed police take-home vehicle program; members ask for offsets
Summary
At an April 23 budget workshop the Lewiston City Council voiced conditional support for a police take-home vehicle program as a recruiting tool, but several councilors said purchases should be limited, offset by one-time funds (including possible drug asset-forfeiture funds), or phased in to limit tax and debt impacts.
At a Lewiston City Council budget workshop on April 23, councilors debated a proposed police take-home vehicle program that administrators and police leaders presented as a recruitment and retention tool that could reduce long-term operating costs.
Councilors who backed the program said it could help attract officers to a department that is struggling to recruit. "We can't just assign a zero value to that recruitment," Councillor Martel said, adding that his review of department numbers showed the program could be a net benefit over time and help bring three to four experienced officers onboard.
Opponents said this…
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