New SF Budget Allows For Hundreds More Police Officers, Firefighters
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco's new $7.9 billion budget sets aside funding to hire 300 more police officers and another 120 firefighters over the next two years.
The loss of 400 firefighters over the past decade has led to mandatory overtime to keep stations fully staffed, said Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White.
"It's making sure people get proper rest before working shift after shift, so in general I think it's a very big morale boost for the department," she said.
SF To Hire Hundreds Of New Police Officers and Firefighters
Augmenting the ranks of the Police Department will mean more officers on street patrol, said Police Chief Greg Suhr.
"These are the beat officers, the bicycle officers, the school resource officers, the officers that are on the ground shaking hands and kissing babies and making people feel safe," he said.
Suhr said the department is now on track to get back to full staffing in six years.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
