CLEVELAND — The shortage of police officers has been an ongoing problem in Northeast Ohio.
During budget hearings at Monday's Cuyahoga County Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Sheriff Harold Pretel submitted a proposal to add 90 new deputies to his department.
The proposal won't come cheap. Pretel's plan to bring in more help would cost Cuyahoga County an additional $10 million in each of the next two years. The new sheriff pointed out to councilmembers that Cuyahoga County has considerably less deputies than that of Franklin County.
Pretel's budget proposal for law enforcement personnel expenditures in 2024, including the addition of 90 deputies, came out to $45.4 million. However, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne recommended spending only $27.3 million. All total, Pretel's budget for next year is asking for $212.6 million, while Ronayne is recommending $177.4 million.
The number disparities annoyed members of council during the meeting.
"I would hope that the County Executive (Ronayne) would listen to the expert," Councilman Scott Tuma said to Pretel. "Sheriff, you're the expert. If you need 90 deputies and if you have an explanation as to why, then those should be budgeted."
The proposal by Pretel also is calling for a "K-9 program expansion" at the Cuyahoga County Jail, plus stab-proof vests for the corrections officers. The sheriff told council members about a shank that was recently found at the jail.
Council members say budget talks will continue.
You can watch Monday's budget hearing in the player below:
Pretel was sworn in as the new Cuyahoga County Sheriff in July after serving with the Cleveland Division of Police for more than three decades. One of his first initiatives since taking office was putting together a "Downtown Safety Patrol" to help Cleveland police combat an increase in crime.
