“It’s fairly clear to me they do need additional positions.”
Administrator Al Vanderberg says Kent County has needed additional assistant prosecutors for years.
“We have been working hard for years to help the prosecutor get more funding for positions.”
Because Kent is one of the 15 Michigan counties with the highest crime rate, the treasury department’s Prosecutor Support Grant Program is providing nearly $5M in grants to hire six assistant prosecutors, 2 victims’ advocates, and an investigator.
“Finally, the money has been freed up.”
With the six additions Prosecutor Chris Becker says his office will have 41 assistant prosecutors, comparable to the number of county public defenders representing clients accused of crimes.
“It gets us closer. It doesn’t provide exact parity, we will still be under but I think it does enough that I think we will be okay.”
The grant covers the salaries for four years. County board vice chair Steve Faber wants to know what happens then, when the money runs out.
“Do we feel like this is going to be consistent funding for the prosecutor? “There are no guarantees.”
