Parlier Police counting on November tax measure to keep department

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities in Parlier said the police department will close if a measure in the upcoming election doesn't pass. Measure Q is a property tax measure that, if passed, would give the department almost $500,000 every year for five years.

So Saturday, the Parlier Police Department and their officers association held an open house to educate voters about their financial struggles. They said if the measure doesn't pass, they'll close their doors and the city will contact with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

But the Parlier Police Officers Association said having a police station allows for quicker response times, more officers on the street and lower a crime rate.

"A good department like this would take $2 million," Parlier Police Chief Jose Flores said. "We need $1.5 million just to stay alive and that's what this would do. It would give us at least $1.5 million to stay alive."

There's no group officially opposing Measure Q but it would cost $120 every year for single-family homes and even more for commercial properties.

Voters get to decide this November.