Free or Discounted Housing for Cops in Central Neighborhoods

Submitted by Michele Walker in Neighborhoods and Families

I'm disappointed every time I see one of our local law enforcement officers living outside the city, or on the fringes of the city. I understand they want to raise their families in "good" neighborhoods, but some of us living in Starr, Vaile, or other central neighborhoods would like to see more officers as neighbors. Knowing the neighborhood from the inside out might help them know more about what is going on and give neighbors a better sense of security.

Many people tell me that there are lovely homes in Starr, but they wouldn't live there because they don't feel secure. If people don't feel secure, they won't invest, and we'll continue to see historical, architecturally significant houses being chopped up into rentals.

I propose that if a property owner has a house that isn't being rented, they consider offering it to a Police Officer, at as deep a discount as they can afford. The property owner would benefit from having someone in the house they can feel good about, and showing their appreciation for the job being done by local law enforcement.