Kids & Cops will benefit Salem. The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors encourages your “YES” vote. A property crime rate over twice the national average is not acceptable. Salem’s reputation nationally as a methamphetamine capital is not acceptable. Failing to leave our city in a better condition for our children and grandchildren is not acceptable. We all pay the price — from the associated costs of families victimized by crime or devastated from meth addiction to the higher cost of insurance for our autos, homes and businesses. We are paying a huge price as a city and it is not acceptable.

Kids & Cops offers the opportunity for citizens of Salem to unite in an effort to make a difference in changing what is not acceptable. Kids & Cops alone does not solve all the problems. Neither can the Kids & Cops measure be called perfect. However, the good far outweighs the negatives and Kids & Cops can serve as a bridge while efforts like the

No Meth - Not In My Neighborhood gains momentum. The process that produced this measure is a model for how citizens with opposing philosophies can come together, debate all issues, address all concerns and persist in finding common ground that will produce positive results.

Incorporating benchmarks and accountability into Kids & Cops makes this measure unique. Funds will be dedicated. Police and after school programs must accomplish specific goals. Funding ends in five years and a yearly “report card” will be provided to citizens. Local funds for local needs with local accountability equals protection of citizen investment.

The process was sound, the protection for citizens is included and the potential for this city when citizens decide to unite together is unlimited. It is now up to you. Your “YES” vote will say “yes” to a safer city and “yes” to our future generations that we care enough to make a difference.

(This information provided by Michael T. McLaran Salem Area Chamber of Commerce)