Salt Lake City already has the highest tax rate of any Wasatch Front city. But residents of Utah's capital don't pay the largest property taxes in the region because the Salt Lake City School District has low taxes compared to other area districts.

Salt Lake City has actually decreased its number of officers since 1998, from 414 to 410. Police Chief Rick Dinse said population growth, more immigration and a large parolee population all contribute to the need for more cops.

"I'm in favor of a tax increase if it means more officers who will come when you call," Vicky Orme, chairwoman of the Fairpark Community Council, said.

The 15 new officers Anderson is requesting may be just the tip of the iceberg. The mayor told the City Council this month that by 2010 the city will need to add 90 new officers to its ranks. The police department wants to keep its ratio of 1.53 officers per 1,000 service population. The city's resident population is roughly 180,000 but balloons to 380,000 during the day when commuters, students and others head into the city.

The community council chairmen, almost across the board, said the city is seeing an increase in gang activity and related crime like graffiti. More cops are needed to help stem the tide, they said.

"Me, myself, I'm for (a tax increase)," Angie Vorher, chairwoman of the Jordan Meadows Community Council, said.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com