Hamilton police will ask the city for a $15.3-million budget increase in 2026 — up 6.81 per cent from the year before.

At a police board meeting Thursday, Chief Frank Bergen had proposed a larger increase of $16.5 million, or 7.37 per cent more, but the board instructed him to find an additional $1.25 million in savings.

The board passed the slightly reduced budget and it now has to be approved by council in the coming months.

Chief Frank Bergen said at the meeting the budget aims to address “growing demand that has significantly impacted our capacity.”

Compared to five years ago, for example, police are responding to 30 per cent more calls, and are “stuck in a reactive realm,” Bergen said.

Hamilton residents feel unsafe, even as crime levels improve, summit hears

At the same time, r

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