FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — The Mifflin Township Police Department may be forced to shut down if a proposed tax levy fails at the ballot box this November, according to township officials.

After voters rejected a similar measure in May, the department has placed the same 5.7-mill levy on the upcoming ballot in hopes of securing funding to maintain 24/7 police coverage.

The urgency comes after two Mifflin Township officers were shot and severely injured during a traffic stop on May 28. The township continued to pay both officers as they recovered, but lacked the funding to hire temporary replacements.

“For the longest time we had to rely fully on the sheriff's office,” said Chief David Briggs, describing the impact on local law enforcement coverage.

Trustee Kevin Cavener emphasized the f

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