Brookfield Township trustees voted unanimously Monday night to place a 2-mill, five-year police levy on the March primary ballot at the request of Police Chief Dan Faustino.

In his presentation to the trustees, Faustino said the department is operating in the red, despite cuts in staff health care and maintenance. The next step would be to cut the number of police and thus the department's quality of service, he said.

"I can't cut anymore without delving into staff," Faustino said of the department's budget. "I spend the money like it's mine, probably even stingier than if it was mine."

With more than 10,000 residents, Brookfield is the third largest township in Trumbull County and the current budget makes it impossible for two policemen to be on the road at all times, Faustino said. Money from the levy would ensure two crusiers are patrolling streets 24 hours a day.