Thirty cents a day buys one-lone cigarette, maybe a candy bar, makes a down payment on a glass of beer -- or restores six police officers, three community service officers and one record specialist to the Des Moines Police Department.

Revenue from the proposed property tax levy lid lift, which will be on the May 16 special election ballot, would go into a special Police Department fund that could not be applied to any other use.

It’s a resourceful idea long overdue.

Des Moines Police Chief Roger Baker said recently, “Answers to three major questions people ask about the levy lid lift ballot that would raise property taxes to restore funding to almost the department’s 1999 level are:

“One, can we do that?

“Two, how much will it cost me?

“Three, would there be future cuts to DMPD from the General Fund if the economic development plan doesn’t meet expectations?”

Chief Baker’s answers are:

1. Yes. Our fire department successfully uses levy lid lift taxation.

2. The cost of passing the levy lid lift will add 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to the $1.16 property owners are already paying, bringing their total property tax to $1.60 per $1,000.

(This is about 30 cents a day, $9 a month or $110 per year on an average $250,000 home.)

3. Current levels of general fund budget for the police department will continue. Anticipated city revenue from continued business and residential development may help offset the six-year levy lid lift.

When you witness a young man shot in broad daylight, as Des Moines property owner Jim Chastain accidentally did, terrors of crime speak loud and clear.

“The players acted as if it was routine business, no big deal,” Chastain said. “Occupants in a car that appeared to be friends picked the victim up and sped away. The assailants nonchalantly drove off and are still on the loose.”

Impacts of crime-infested communities leave nothing untouched, be it precious life or financial security. When willing renters are scarce and mortgage payments are due, that is a big deal for investors such as Chastain:

“If citizens of the city of Des Moines are not willing to spend money for adequate police protection now, it will cost them with loss of taxes, hardworking citizens and businesses in the future,” he said.

Police officers put their life on the line every day. No one will forget dedicated Des Moines Master Police Officer Steven Underwood, who was killed in the line of duty five years ago -- after 1999 budget cuts eliminated four police officers.

The present Des Moines City Council is to be applauded for taking the risk of unanimously making a commitment to the police department and community to provide more adequate public safety and paid services.

A risk they cannot rescind, that also binds future councils, should get the people’s vote to approve the levy lid lift.

Chief Baker said, “Economic development and property values of Des Moines will be negatively impacted if we do not do more to stop the increase in crime and address growing gang, drug, and prostitution problems.

“Passing the levy lid lift will restore police department positions that specifically address these crime issues.”

Updated technology will also free-up manpower to spend more time in the field and less time at the station writing shift reports.

Lack of police presence encourages crime. Serious Part I crime incidents in the city increased from 1,079 to 1,527 between 2000 and 2005: rape, 11 to 19; robbery, 31 to 45; burglary, 174 to 242; larceny, 546 to 742; and vehicle theft, 258 to 418.

When crime hits “our family,” money seems insignificant.

Crime, like life, is a gamble. We are the players. This bet is 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. Odds are crime holds a strong hand, yet, one more card can change that grip.

The stakes are high. It’s your turn to play. What’ll it be? Draw, fold or win?