FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - There are concerns that gains made in the battle against crime in Federal Way may be impacted by budget troubles.
A new report shows a spike of violent crime has dropped with an increase in patrols. Assault crimes are down 57 percent at the city's Transit Center and down 21 percent in the downtown area.
"Unlike before, shootings we haven't heard anything," says Agnes Lemapu, who was attending a church picnic in the city's Steele Lake Park. "It has been really nice to have them (police patrols) around because we feel a lot of safety with them around."
But, just a heightened patrols are paying off budget cuts may force officer layoffs.
Eighteen Federal Way Police jobs are in jeopardy because of a budget shortfall. While other city departments are also facing reductions, the police department may be forced to take the brunt of the cuts.
The city of Lynnwood is also facing similar troubles. The police union there says a projected $21 million deficit may force a third of the city's police officers to find a new job.
