LINCOLN— A new Lincoln petition drive led by retired Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt and former radio host Doug Fitzgerald aims to require the Lincoln Police Department to maintain a minimum of 450 sworn officers, about 80 more than its current staffing level. Supporters say the measure would establish a legally binding staffing floor tied to population growth and ensure adequate emergency response and public safety coverage as Lincoln continues to expand.

The proposal comes in response to Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird’s newly proposed city budget, which adds four police positions over the next two years. City officials estimate increasing staffing to 450 officers would cost roughly $13 million annually and could require either a property tax increase or cuts to other city services. Petition organizers plan to begin collecting signatures soon and hope to either persuade the Lincoln City Council to adopt the ordinance or place it before voters in a future election.

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