CAPE CAN'T HIRE POLICE UNTIL LATER

Even though the nation's crime bill has $115,000 for Cape Girardeau to hire two police officers over the next three years, the city won't be able to use the program until next summer.

City officials received notification of the funding Friday. Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr. said Thursday it will likely be next summer before the city could use the money.

The entire cost is $154,000. Boyd said the city must pay 25 percent of the cost or nearly $40,000.

No funding for the local match was included in this year's city budget.

"The problem is I have to budget this cash match money, and we won't do that until this winter."

The city had requested the money a year ago to implement a community-oriented police program. It didn't receive the funding.

But in April, the city implemented its own program with city funds and assigned two officers to the program.

"The idea is to get the officers out in the neighborhoods where there are problem areas," Sgt. Carl Kinnison said.

The two officers patrol on foot and by bicycle and talk with the neighborhood residents.

Kinnison said much of their time is spent in the Indian Park area.

With the federal funds, the city will be able to double the number of officers in the program.

Boyd said he also hopes to get federal funding through the crime bill to implement the GREAT or Gang Resistance Education and Training Program.

The nationwide program uses peer pressure to keep young people out of gangs.

Federal funding could be used to train officers for the program, Boyd said, adding that the city's funding application for the community-policing program was turned down last year because it didn't have federal housing.

The bulk of the grants went to large cities.

But the $9 billion crime bill has made available additional federal funds to put more cops on the nation's streets, Boyd said.

Six other Missouri cities -- Clinton, Columbia, Festus, Maplewood, Noel and Warrenton -- also will receive federal funds. In all, federal funds will finance hiring 16 new police officers in the state.

Nationwide, about $200 million has been awarded to about 300 cities and counties to hire more officers, Boyd said.

Boyd said he feels good about getting federal funds, "but I want to get in and get more of that."