To the editor:

One of the benefits of the police facility sales tax is that Lawrence property owners will not shoulder the responsibility of paying for a new police facility that will serve everyone. It also will not be the sole responsibility of Lawrence residents. Everyone that visits Lawrence, including Kansas University students, will contribute: visitors who shop Lawrence, visitors to Final Fridays, Lied Center events, Art in the Park, Tour of Lawrence, KU athletic events, future AAU events, all out-of-town guests will help pay for the new facility which will serve all. And this is only right in that they too will benefit from the increased safety and efficiencies of a new police facility.

Other benefits: It is a special purpose tax, meaning it can’t be used for anything else, and it sunsets in nine years or when the facility is paid for, whichever comes first.

But the greatest benefit of all will be the finished product, a modern and efficient, purpose-built police department the Lawrence community can be proud of.

This two-tenths of 1 percent sales tax equates to 20 cents for every $100 you spend. This is a very small price to pay for not only the safety of our residents but also the safety of the men and women who protect us.