The Marietta City Council approved recently the development and funding of a new $708,000 initiative in which residents will serve as Public Safety Ambassadors.
Initially, 10 residents, ages 18 and above, will be hired with an annual salary of $30,000 each.
By the fall, they will be trained and authorized to perform limited police functions such as handling a variety of low-risk police service calls, directing traffic and performing community problem-solving techniques with Marietta residents, according to a Marietta Police Department statement.
Also, they will wear uniforms but different from that of a police officer and drive seven vehicles - at $20,000 each - with only an amber light on top.
Funding will come from the Board of Lights and Water at $600,000 and the asset forfeiture fund at $100,000.
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