Police pleased as Columbus gets LOST

In western Georgia, an important vote easily passed last night that would significantly beef up police and public services.

Columbus voters at 48 polling stations across the city gave the thumbs up for The Local Option Sales Tax – LOST by a 61 percent majority.

City officials estimate that the one-percent tax will generate some $36 million dollars annually.

Police will receive about 70-percent of the funds. They say they plan to use it to add 100 beat officers, raise pay and add precincts.

The remaining 30 percent is slated for roads and related public works projects.

An insurance industry survey in April said car thefts dropped statewide in 2007 -- except in Columbus -- which topped the state in per-capita auto theft.

Read more about that survey here. Columbus Police Department crime statistics are here.

A similar tax proposal was voted down four years ago.

Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley told the Ledger-Enquirer newspaper that Tuesday's victory was largely due to the backing of Mayor Jim Wetherington, who served as chief of police for over a decade.

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