Poll says city should take grant

Most Tulsans polled favor the proposal to hire more police.

Nearly three-quarters of Tulsa voters think the city should take a $3.5 million federal grant up for discussion Tuesday by a City Council committee that will make a recommendation to the full council.

Apparently driven by public safety concerns and optimism about Tulsa's long-term growth, 73 percent of the 405 likely voters surveyed Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 said Tulsa should take the grant, which would pay the salaries of 18 additional officers for three years.

The poll question included an explanation that the city would have to pay the additional officers' salaries after the third year and pay up front to train and equip them.

"I don't think we should leave money on the table," said Dan Curran. "We need to add officers. I understand we have to come up with funding for salaries once the grant runs out, but four years from now I believe the economy will be better."

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