The first award announcements are expected this month. "You've got to cross your fingers and remain optimistic," said Mayor Ron Dellums of Oakland, Calif. Dellums said without federal aid, his city could lose 140 police positions, and California law gives few options for raising taxes to keep those officers. Even before a single COPS grant check has been mailed, Dellums said the huge demand for help shows that without more aid, Oakland and other cities "are going to be confronted with the stark reality that we have to cut back." Shrinking police force In Pontiac, Mich., Police Chief Valard Gross has seen plenty of spending cuts in recent years and is worried that the red ink spilling across local budgets everywhere else means his city will now get less. "It concerns me greatly. I can't say what areas are most deserving, but I... [read full story]
