As for the east-side public-safety center, Hatch said the new facility would represent a shift in police philosophy, changing from a centralized policing plan to a precinct-based model. That type of change, he said, should require public input.

The county councilman also is calling for more discussion about an emergency operations center. He said the city needs to consider all of its options, including an integrated countywide emergency communications system instead of a stand-alone operation.

Pat Shea, a local attorney who is heading a support campaign for Proposition 1, questions why Hatch and other members of the County Council are getting involved in a city issue.

"I told (Hatch) what he was trying to do to Salt Lake City is what the Legislature sometimes does to Salt Lake County, saying unless you come to the kingdom and ask for our permission, we're going to cause you problems," Shea said.

Hatch, who represents Salt Lake City on the County Council, said he's acting in the interest of those who voted him into office.

"That's attacking the messenger instead of the message," he said. "Why don't they look at what we're saying and be honest about that?"

Shea has organized a group called the Secure Against Future Emergencies (SAFE) Coalition, which has begun dispersing campaign materials in support of Proposition 1. The group also plans to place newspaper and radio ads prior to the Nov. 6 vote.

Police and fire officials previously have been speaking to community councils and other groups when asked, but their roles as public servants prevent them from advocating for the bond.

"I don't want it to ever appear that the chief of police is holding the city hostage, saying if we don't get facilities, we're not going to provide quality service," Burbank said, "because we will."

Hatch said a campaign mailer produced by the SAFE Coalition does just that. In addition to text explaining why Salt Lake City needs to upgrade its public safety facilities, the mailer shows a German shepherd wearing a sign around its neck that reads, "PLEASE VOTE YES."

Hatch compares it to the National Lampoon magazine cover featuring a dog with a gun to its head and the caption, "If you don't buy this magazine, we'll kill this dog."

"Who's going to vote against a sweet dog?" Hatch said, adding that he and his County Council colleagues don't plan to spend money to campaign against the bond. Instead, Hatch said they'll talk to the press and "anybody who wants to listen."

"This is our view," he said. "If the public agrees with it, that's fine."