Should the Town Foot the Bill for More Cops?

Mayor Tim Dougherty calls it "a good problem to have."

While the Morristown of today has become a destination, a hub and is continually adding new attractions that are bringing not only more visitors, but more residents, that popularity and progress comes at a cost.

One specific cost, , was $7,000 a month for July and August, to fund the hiring of four additional police officiers to aid in patrolling the business district from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. This is the time where, for better or worse, Morristown really does a brisk business.

The $14,000 over two months is coming from the police department's budget, which Dougherty said would have been spent anyway on the hiring of new police officers. The administration said it's a public safety issue. And, like any public events where additional officers would be brought in to keep the peace, they are doing so now. They also said it is the hope that Town Council will ultimately find a permanent solution to covering the cost of additional officers for downtown, once the two month period is up.

Do you agree with the administration and mayor that it's fine for them to cover the cost of these four additional officers for July and August? Or, do you think it should be the responsibility of the bars and restaurants they are being hired to keep the peace? Vote in our poll and chime in below.