Police department won't happen any time soon for Wellsville

By Aaron Falk

December 7, 2004 | WELLSVILLE -- While the city of Wellsville would like to see an increase in the number of law enforcement officers patrolling its streets, it's not something that will happen anytime soon, Councilwoman Marceen Parker says.

"We know we need more protection services in our city," Parker said. "But, it won't happen for many years. It won't happen in my time on the council."

Parker, who proposed the idea of creating a city police department to the council several months ago, said the city just isn't ready financially to get the idea off the ground.

"From the information I've gathered, it would cost around $500,000 to get it started," she said. "And then you have all of [expenses] per year. There's just no way that Wellsville is in that stage of the game yet."

While Wellsville isn't a city plagued by crime, Parker said there is still a need for more officers on the streets to minimize theft, vandalism and traffic problems.

"Wellsville isn't any different from any other community," she said. "We'd like more officers for traffic control and prevention of thefts. If there's a policeman around people don't take seem as willing to take the risk."

Parker said creating a police department with the help of surrounding cities and towns may be a possibility, but, she said, no other communities have been contacted on the matter as of yet."

"It just depends on the options and how many cities would work together," Parker said. "If you have two or three communities and then you divide up the time by how much they contribute, it could work.

Still, the Wellsville Police Department remains an idea for the future and, for now, the city will get relying on the Cache County Sheriff's Office, Parker said.

"We're pleased with what we get out of the sheriff's office," she said. "We know they're strapped, but we are grateful for what we get."

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