Newly elected Calexico council member rejects shop-for-a-cop option

Newly elected city council member Bill Hodge said to lose city controlled public safety services would cause the city too much morale, economic and image damage. He said it would scare away potential investors, as well.

Hodge said the shop-for-a-cop decision amounts to the city saving a few dollars and losing thousands.

He said he was confident the new council would find a solution to the city’s current financial crisis without the need to lose public safety services.

But city officials have said they must make a decision on public safety options by year’s end before the new budget kicks in next year.

“I think it was wrong. I think that they should have waited for the new council to come in. Morale and image will be hurt greatly and future prosperity or growth will be jeopardized,” Hodge said.

New Calexico City Council members Bill Hodge, Lewis Pacheco, and Jesus Eduardo Escobar begin their terms in December.