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We've heard this promise before The McGuinty government recently announced it would provide money to put 1,000 new police officers on the streets of towns and cities across Ontario. I for one, applaud the announcement. Problem is, this is the ninth time the McGuinty Liberals have made such an announcement. The previous eight times they have posed with police, grinned for the cameras, and failed to provide the necessary money. I have almost despaired that we'll ever see this promise fulfilled. The Liberals did let out a little additional information with this latest announcement. Apparently they plan to give municipalities $35,000 for each police officer hired and restrict the number for each municipality. However, each additional cop costs municipalities just over $100,000 per year including salary, equipment and necessary resources. Now the Liberals promised 100 per cent of the funding, but are suggesting they will only cover about one-third of the cost of new officers-- that is if they ever follow through at all. The rise in violent crime we've seen across much of the Greater Toronto Area, and the increase in gang and drug-related crime, requires more police. It appears the McGuinty Liberals will target additional hiring of police in these areas with their funding. Too often in recent months we have seen reports of daylight shootings and marijuana grow-ops. People in Ontario should feel they are safe on our streets QUEEN'S PARK REPORT Ted Chudleigh and in their homes. Along with the ninth announcement that that they will fund new police officers, the Liberals detailed how many officers each police service will get, should the local municipalities be able to cover the other two-thirds of the cost. Halton, for example will get enough money to cover one-third of the costs of 34 new officers. Halton had asked for enough money to cover 64 new officers, but hey, money is tight. It's so tight we haven't seen any of it yet. Police services across Ontario will see far fewer police than they asked for. This is especially disturbing for services in the GTA where about half of Ontarians live and crime statistics show is where additional police are most needed. It appears that we are closer now to actually seeing the money for this program from the provincial government. Perhaps I'll hold my applause until then. --Ted Chudleigh is the MPP for Halton