The Jordan River area could see a boost in police presence

SALT LAKE CITY — More police officers may be assigned to monitor the Jordan River area next year.

A straw poll of Salt Lake City Council members at a council meeting earlier this week indicated they support the move to hire more officers to patrol the Jordan River area.

The council wants to recruit them earlier than usual so they can begin training in January. The goal is to start staffing officers to the Jordan River Trail sometime next fall.

Additionally, the council supported using $1.6 million this fiscal year. Policy Analyst Ben Luedtke said it would help pay for several one-time costs.

“It includes vehicles, equipment and supplies. So, those one-time costs are included this fiscal year,” said Luedtke. 

If approved, a $1.5 million dollar grant from the federal Department of Justice would pay part of the new officers’ salaries.

“This would fund 12 new police officers, two sergeants and 10 regular patrol officers,” Luedtke said. “They would form two squads dedicated to the Jordan River Trail and the surrounding neighborhoods.” 

According to Luedtke, the new police officers would be put in patrol once they are done with training. Luedtke said 12 existing, more experienced officers would move the new officers into the new Jordan River area.

Allessandra Harris-Gurr is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio

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