Budget Committee approves $1 million grant program for community oriented police houses

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Here in Wisconsin, Milwaukee and other large cities can soon apply to have more police officers in their community.

The Legislature's Budget Committee approved a $1 million grant program for community oriented police houses. 

It stations officers in troubled areas to improve relationships between police and the community. 

Since the 1990s, the city of Racine has used community police houses. One lawmaker from the area says it's been successful in high crime areas.

"If they are embedded in that neighborhood, they are part of the neighborhood...now it's not an occupying force, it's not a response to an issue that's happening, it's prevention from having that happening," said State Sen. Van Wanggaard. 

The Budget Committee also approved funding for schools to comply with a new requirement to submit detailed school maps to law enforcement. 

It's called electronic mapping, a tool that helps first responders react more quickly to critical situations like an active shooter.