Mpls Police Chief Makes Budget Cuts

The Minneapolis police chief is working to make more budget cuts to the city, just as violent crime in Minneapolis is hitting record lows.

The police chief and city council, can't even agree on a number. The chief's plan is to cut more than $5 million from laying off 47 civilians, many from the city's community crime prevention program.

He says eliminating cell phones for street cops will save $319,000. Another $350,000 will come from getting rid of the mounted patrol.

The council says there's still another $3 million that needs to be chopped. The chief says he'll handle it through the retirement of 24 cops over the next two years, who won't be replaced.

He says if attrition numbers don't work out, they will have more layoffs.

With budget deadlines hitting this week, the council is under the gun. Council President Paul Ostrow suggested if the chief can't find more places to cut, they will.