Police chief reports staffing gains and outlines quality-of-life push as committee probes overtime and lost grants Chief Maurice Aguilar told the Budget & Finance Committee the department has improved retention and is increasing recruitment but remains understrength by roughly two dozen officers. The committee reviewed year-to-date budget variances, flagged overtime and vacation buyback overruns, and asked for follow-up on lost grants and the budgetary impact of the new police headquarters.

Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguilar reveals impressive retention rates but warns of a significant staffing shortfall that’s driving up costs—what’s the plan moving forward?

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Housing Committee forwards $13,900 expansion to the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant after police cite arrests and large drug seizures Lawrence Police presented results from Project Safe Neighborhoods patrols and operations and the committee voted to send a request to expand PSN funding by $13,900 to the full council; officers said the grant supports extra enforcement that led to hundreds of arrests and multi‑kilogram drug seizures during recent grant periods.

The Housing Committee has backed a $13,900 expansion of the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant, with police reporting staggering results: over 500 arrests and substantial drug seizures in just three months!

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