Совет Iowa City отложил голосование по вводу трех новых патрульных в центре города

Iowa City council delays vote on adding downtown police patrols Council members split 4-3 on plan to add three full-time officers IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - The Iowa City Council on Tuesday deferred a vote on a police department plan to add three full-time officers to patrol downtown. The vote was deferred four to three. The plan follows months of discussion about safety downtown after the Ped Mall shooting injured five people in April. Cost to add officers The three additional officer positions would cost the city about $370,000. The city would save about $88,000 in overtime once the positions are staffed. Council members question timing Council members Laura Bergus and Megan Alter questioned the cost and whether the city has enough information to make the investment now. They said they want to wait for the strategic planning process before moving forward. “I think this decision would be very shortsighted and expensive if we are trying to actually address violence in the downtown area,” Bergus said. Iowa City resident Mary McCann addressed the council about police overtime. “I was deeply disturbed listening to the council’s disregard of the mandated enforced overtime our local police must accept in response to the needs of the city. I don’t want to carry firearms,” McCann said. Current patrols to continue The increased patrols with the University of Iowa police department will continue for now. That plan would have offered a permanent police presence Wednesdays through Sundays, but the additional officer plan is on hold indefinitely. Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.