Residents of Wilton Manors overwhelmingly love their police department, and are willing to pay more to keep the service. That’s according to an exclusive new survey conducted by The Gazette.
About 78% of respondents, both residents and non-residents, have a good or very good opinion of WMPD.
Of people who live in the city, 93% say they feel safe living here, and 97% of non-residents say they feel safe visiting Wilton Manors.
The results come just days before two important deadlines. On Monday, July 22, the city and the union, the Police Benevolent Association, will meet to renegotiate salaries, benefits, and retention incentives.
On Tuesday, July 23, city commissioners will likely discuss WMPD issues and other budget-related items. On Wednesday, July 24, they must set the ceiling for the property tax rate, or millage rate. Whatever number they set could be lowered by the time they vote on the final budget. WMPD costs remain a budget wildcard and both sides hope to have clarity, if not a deal, after the July 22 meeting.
Any solution that involves keeping the department intact will cost money, but the survey says citizens are willing to pay. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 64%, say they are okay with higher taxes to maintain WMPD.
“Please, raise our taxes if necessary to keep our own police,” said one commenter. “Do whatever is necessary to keep our own police officers and police department.”
The same number, 64%, oppose the idea of the city being absorbed by BSO.
“Wilton Manors is an Island City with great security concerns due to the nature of our population,” one commenter wrote. “We are under attack from our governor, evangelicals, MAGAs and everyday homophobes. We need a police force that understands our population. I fear the Broward Sheriff's office would be unable to do this.”
WMPD, like many law enforcement agencies across Broward County, is seeing an exodus of sworn officers looking for better pay, benefits, and cost of living. The current budget already eliminates two of the 32 officers. No one would be laid off; it would just mean that a “fully staffed” department would have 30 officers. Several positions would still be open.
While there were some comments opposing WMPD and costs, the comments used here are reflective of the general attitude of respondents. Most negative comments were directed toward city management and elected officials.
The Gazette conducted an online survey of 274 individuals using Survey Monkey during the week of July 8.
Resident Responses
Non-resident Responses
