LGLHOOK
Member
(KSL News) The vote was unaminous. The city of Cottonwood Heights will split from the Salt Lake County's Sheriff's Department and form its own police force.
That vote came tonight before a packed council chamber with promises the city won't raise taxes.
The initial startup cost for the new department is expected to be more than $1.5-million and $4.2-million in operating costs each year after.
The mayor argues that money will help the city improve response time, put a higher priority on local crimes, and be able to hire and fire its own officers.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder claims the move puts residents of Cottonwood Heights, as well as the rest of the county, at risk.
Winder said, "When there's a traffic accident on 7200 South that requires traffic control and major accident investigation, the three officers that are on duty in Cottonwood Heights will be it. Midvale's not going to send guys up, neither is Sandy or Murray, because it drains the resources from their cities."
Cottonwood Heights mayor, Kelvyn Cullimore, said, "We're paying for a lot of county overhead instead of feet on the street, and so we feel like doing it ourselves. We're able to put more feet on the street and more focus on a customized police product for Cottonwood Heights."
Before the city can start up its own force, it's required to give the sheriff's department six months' notice. The mayor estimates the city will do that in the next 30 to 60 days.
In the meantime, sheriff's deputies will continue their patrol of the city.
That vote came tonight before a packed council chamber with promises the city won't raise taxes.
The initial startup cost for the new department is expected to be more than $1.5-million and $4.2-million in operating costs each year after.
The mayor argues that money will help the city improve response time, put a higher priority on local crimes, and be able to hire and fire its own officers.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder claims the move puts residents of Cottonwood Heights, as well as the rest of the county, at risk.
Winder said, "When there's a traffic accident on 7200 South that requires traffic control and major accident investigation, the three officers that are on duty in Cottonwood Heights will be it. Midvale's not going to send guys up, neither is Sandy or Murray, because it drains the resources from their cities."
Cottonwood Heights mayor, Kelvyn Cullimore, said, "We're paying for a lot of county overhead instead of feet on the street, and so we feel like doing it ourselves. We're able to put more feet on the street and more focus on a customized police product for Cottonwood Heights."
Before the city can start up its own force, it's required to give the sheriff's department six months' notice. The mayor estimates the city will do that in the next 30 to 60 days.
In the meantime, sheriff's deputies will continue their patrol of the city.
