Business leaders fed up with violent crimes and gangs have promised $40,000 to hire another police officer and boost the pay of the city's 35 existing officers.
Most of the money, $30,000, was pledged by Paul Ream, owner of Ream's Food Store.Skyline Printing owner Dave Brewer said he pledged $5,000 and might renew that for several years.
"If the money pays specifically for police dealing with gangs, we'd be willing to do that," Brewer said. "I hope others come forward and assist the community.
"As a business, you pay so much into the coffers of government that you'd like to see it diverted for what you know is a good cause."
The clamor for better police protection came on the heels of the Feb. 24 assault on a community activist and her family by gang members; a melee that ended up with bullets inside a State Street business; and four drive-by shootings.
Darro Glissmeyer, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber will do some solicitation to raise even more than the initial $40,000.
"I hope we can fund the pie in the sky: six officers," Glissmeyer said.