Have your say: Yes or no to a police budget increase?

Hamilton police are asking for a 5.25 per cent increase in their budget. That works out to just over $7 million more.

If Hamilton police do not get the $7.1-million budget increase, the Mountain and east-end stations will operate on reduced hours and 20 positions will be eliminated, says Chief Glenn De Caire. The chief says the police service will remove five school resources officers, four station duty personnel, nine crime managers and half the positions on a team that accompanies social workers on mental health calls.

Should the police get a budget increase? Cast your vote in CBC Hamilton's online poll and have your say in our Comments section below.

Here's a sample of what Hamiltonians are saying already about the police budget increase request.