Kalamazoo approves $1K hazard pay for public safety officers who worked during the pandemic

The City of Kalamazoo has approved a program to give $1,000 hazard pay to public safety officers who stayed on the job in March and April while the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the state.

The money comes from a grant from the State of Michigan and will provide one-time payments to 237 employees of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

“Kalamazoo Public Safety employees continued to work while facilities were closed to the public, responding to calls and interacting with the public daily,” reads the item on the commission’s meeting agenda. “The activities of Kalamazoo Public Safety are essential to the overall safety of the community.”

The payments are set to go out by September 30.