At town hall, community speaks on public safety

The Merced City Council held a town hall meeting of over 50 people to discuss how to  improve the city. These gatherings are meant to bring city council meetings out of the city hall chambers and out into the community. Priority is placed on the public comment part of the meeting, in which anyone can address the council directly on any issue. Many in attendance expected the council's recent proposal - to add one to three police officers a year over the next five years - to be an agenda item. The council did not address its proposal directly, but attendees shared their thoughts on it and on public safety in Merced. "I don’t think adding more police to Merced will make it safer. I think more activities so people get to know each other and there won’t be so much drama." More ideas from residents are on We'Ced.