MichiganRadio

Southfield Police Chief: Invest in Education ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

The Southfield Chief of Police is urging Michigan lawmakers not to cut funding for early childhood education programs.

Chief Joseph Thomas says investing in preschool education helps lower crime rates. Research shows at-risk children who receive early education are less likely to commit crimes later on.

Thomas says cutting education funding might help save money in the short term, but could lead to more money spent on prisons later.
He says investing in education will help Michigan prosper.

"We must maintain this country with brains and not bullets," says Thomas, "Put your gun away, and put your purse in your head and pour your time in your brain. And that's how you become competitive again."

Lawmakers need to cut state spending by one point two billion dollars for the next fiscal year. One program on the chopping block is Michigan's school readiness program. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio