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The police department is out of money in Anoka County. For the first time in 27 years, the sheriff's department can't buy any new equipment.

The issue Sheriff Gus DiCesari brought up was the aging patrol cars, all with an excess of 150,000 miles on them. DiCesari says that the cars spend too much time being repaired, and need to be replaced.

DiCesari's supporter, Commissioner Anita Shenuski, places the blame on immigrants, saying "They are a problem for our law enforcement, our schools, and our health care system." She continues, "They take away jobs from decent people and work for next to nothing."

Commission President Anne Chenn was opposed to DiCesari, telling him "They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes. You are being a hypocrite when you try to blame those people for everything."

Anoka County's budget for the year is $127 million, $30 million of which was allocated to build the new prison. The cost of buying DiCesari's proposed replacement cars and five new deputies is $580,000.

Chenn suggested that officers not drive their patrol cars home at night, to make more cars available and to keep any more mileage off the cars. DiCesari though says that cars parked in neighborhoods is a crime deterrent.

The request for the $580,000 failed to pass with a vote of 5-2.