By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WAYNESVILLE - A neighborhood watch program, bike safety education and other community-oriented police initiatives are on hold after voters here crushed a proposed 3.5-mill tax levy this week.

The levy would have generated an extra $171,000 each year for five years, allowing the police department to add two full-time officers and expand their community outreach efforts in this northern Warren County village. But voters Tuesday rejected the issue, 73 percent to 27 percent, according to unofficial primary results from the Warren County Board of Elections.

"At this point, we're going to review some things and look at some things down the road," Waynesville Police Chief Kenny McCloud said. "We are on a budget restriction and there are going to be some things that we will not allow our officers to do right now."

That includes extra training and taking over the DARE program in the schools, which is currently run by the Warren County Sheriff's Office.

The police department also was looking to hire two more full-time officers - boosting its total full-time staff to six officers, including the chief - to help cover shifts around the clock. Instead, the department will continue relying on its 12 reserve officers to protect this village of 2,725 people.

In November, voters had approved a five-year, 5.5 mill replacement levy for police services. McCloud thinks Tuesday's low voter turnout - 567 people voted on the issue - was a factor in the results.

The village will likely have to go back to voters in a special election or in November.

"I hope people would understand that we're there to serve them," McCloud said. "We can't serve them if we don't have the people and funds."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com