Police Dept. no more in my little town...
Maybe I will run for Mayor...[:)] News is reporting a 3-400000K in the hole...
Updated: Jan 12, 2008 12:16 AM EST
GASTON, SC (WIS) - If you called the Gaston Police Department Wednesday you heard a strange message. "Yeah, this is Chief Crider Gaston Police Department. Do not leave any messages. As of right now council has disbanded the police department. We are laid off until further notice. Do not leave a message. They won't be checked for the next couple of weeks. Thank you, it's been fun working here. Bye."
As Chief Woody Crider said in the message, Wednesday night at a council meeting, the town's police department was dissolved. But that is just the start of the Lexington County town's problems.
"Carry a gun. Protect your life," says a former Gaston police officer, who's warning residents they're going to have to fend for themselves. He is one of five officers without a job.
The entire force shut down because Gaston doesn't have the money to pay the officers.
The town is now under investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division, the IRS and the State Ethics Commission for its financial problems, including some big spending by employees. WIS News 10's Stewart Moore asked Chief Crider, "How does it make you feel to see that they're spending that type of money on personal endeavors and can't afford to pay the people protecting them?"
"I really rather not answer that," says Chief Crider. "I don't think it can be on TV."
Records from a private audit reveal what some are calling questionable spending, including $935 for one night of entertainment and travel by one of the financial administrators. And the mayor and some council members charged the city for a conference in Hilton Head, costing $4,200 just for the hotel, and thousands more for food and entertainment.
Mayor James Sharpe says, "I can't say for any reason that there's been anything done wrong."
Mayor Sharpe says the police department costs the most money, so it had to go. For the good of Gaston, the chief says he was willing to stay on. "I think all of us would have took pay cuts. I volunteered to go without a check, to keep these guys going. That don't matter to them."
Until the town's finances are straightened out, the department's doors will remain locked. It has residents concerned about their local businesses and well-being without having local police.
Michael Gantt says, "I own four businesses in this community. If something happens now we're going to have to rely on the Sheriff's Department. We do have a fantastic one in Lexington County; however, they're spread thin like anybody else."
Gaston residents who are seeking police assistance should call (803) 785-8230. In an emergency, call 911. If residents call 911, the Lexington County Sheriff's Department will respond.
Updated: Jan 12, 2008 12:16 AM EST
GASTON, SC (WIS) - If you called the Gaston Police Department Wednesday you heard a strange message. "Yeah, this is Chief Crider Gaston Police Department. Do not leave any messages. As of right now council has disbanded the police department. We are laid off until further notice. Do not leave a message. They won't be checked for the next couple of weeks. Thank you, it's been fun working here. Bye."
As Chief Woody Crider said in the message, Wednesday night at a council meeting, the town's police department was dissolved. But that is just the start of the Lexington County town's problems.
"Carry a gun. Protect your life," says a former Gaston police officer, who's warning residents they're going to have to fend for themselves. He is one of five officers without a job.
The entire force shut down because Gaston doesn't have the money to pay the officers.
The town is now under investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division, the IRS and the State Ethics Commission for its financial problems, including some big spending by employees. WIS News 10's Stewart Moore asked Chief Crider, "How does it make you feel to see that they're spending that type of money on personal endeavors and can't afford to pay the people protecting them?"
"I really rather not answer that," says Chief Crider. "I don't think it can be on TV."
Records from a private audit reveal what some are calling questionable spending, including $935 for one night of entertainment and travel by one of the financial administrators. And the mayor and some council members charged the city for a conference in Hilton Head, costing $4,200 just for the hotel, and thousands more for food and entertainment.
Mayor James Sharpe says, "I can't say for any reason that there's been anything done wrong."
Mayor Sharpe says the police department costs the most money, so it had to go. For the good of Gaston, the chief says he was willing to stay on. "I think all of us would have took pay cuts. I volunteered to go without a check, to keep these guys going. That don't matter to them."
Until the town's finances are straightened out, the department's doors will remain locked. It has residents concerned about their local businesses and well-being without having local police.
Michael Gantt says, "I own four businesses in this community. If something happens now we're going to have to rely on the Sheriff's Department. We do have a fantastic one in Lexington County; however, they're spread thin like anybody else."
Gaston residents who are seeking police assistance should call (803) 785-8230. In an emergency, call 911. If residents call 911, the Lexington County Sheriff's Department will respond.
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keep the safe unlocked when home and carry two weapons when out of your house 0 -
I live well outside the city limits. I do know some Officers laid off. Rumor has it the mayor and wife have embezzled monies. Imagine that. Town does need their Police Officers back. A few citizens need to get money together to put em' back to work and then repaid a year later when they raise taxes to cover the bond. What a mess. 0 -
here we had a younger gal that embezzled a lot of money with no repercussions from an elderly lady she was taking care of so of course she got elected to city council to make financial decisions because she had EXPERIENCE... if you have a friend that you can trust to do as instructed with your money or property even after death against demands of relatives or others CHERISH that relationship because now it is a rare item 0 -
How big is the town?
do you have much crime?
Heck, as cold as it is there you prolly only need the poleece 6 months a year!0 -
You can still call on Jesus[8)] 0 -
The vast majority of towns in South Dakota do not have police departments. 0 -
Never had one in this town either...if you can call this a town. 0 -
911=Dial a Prayer.. 0 -
Google search showed Gaston has 1400 people. A 6 officer PD is HUGE for 1400 people by standards around here. 0 -
quote:mrseatle:
You can still call on Jesus
.... would that be Jesus Gonzalas or Jesus Villa de Monte?
[:D]0 -
Hope the county Sheriff isn't like LaSalle COunty, Illinois. Two deputies at night. One north of the river and one south of the river.
Actually they both stay at the office waiting for a call.
My wife called to report an obvious drunk driver. The 911 operator told her that one deputy is on a call and if the other leaves, then no one is available for any other possible emergencies." The dispatcher offered to give her the phone number to the state police.[xx(]
I laugh when I'm driving through town to go to work. If I see two deputies, I know the road is clear ahead of me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bhale187
Google search showed Gaston has 1400 people. A 6 officer PD is HUGE for 1400 people by standards around here.
I agree, put the "chief" back on patrol, and rehire the other officers as it becomes possible/nesisary.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Captplaid
Hope the county Sheriff isn't like LaSalle COunty, Illinois. Two deputies at night. One north of the river and one south of the river.
Actually they both stay at the office waiting for a call.
My wife called to report an obvious drunk driver. The 911 operator told her that one deputy is on a call and if the other leaves, then no one is available for any other possible emergencies." The dispatcher offered to give her the phone number to the state police.[xx(]
I laugh when I'm driving through town to go to work. If I see two deputies, I know the road is clear ahead of me.
Capt,
I've got a good friend who use to be a cop in Streator, and I use to work Peoria, Woodford, and Livingston counties just south of you.
Didn't know we were so close.0 -
6 officers wow. A town of 4,500 here and we have 8. The next largest town is 2,500 and they contract with the sheriffs dept to have one on duity at all times which is working real well. That sounds like a valid plan for your community. The sheriffs dept hires an extra officer and makes sure one is in your community night & day. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dakotashooter2
6 officers wow. A town of 4,500 here and we have 8. The next largest town is 2,500 and they contract with the sheriffs dept to have one on duity at all times which is working real well. That sounds like a valid plan for your community. The sheriffs dept hires an extra officer and makes sure one is in your community night & day.
Macon county does that for Forsyth, IL. at a cost of $300k per year. Only one Deputy on duty per shift, a couple times a week a shift is not covered, and usually they are usually not in the area because they are hopping calls elsewhere in the county.0 -
Do they have any transferrable NFA items they want to sell to earn some $$??[:D]
CP0 -
Hmmmmmmmm.....
Mayor "select-fire"
Has a certain ring to it.
Or was that a thud?
[}:)][;)][:D][:D][:D]0 -
These Officers are not all full timer's. 0 -
Let's say there are 1400 people there. They average $600 in property tax.
That's $840,000 for property taxes.
$40,000 to pay for 1 Law Enforcement Officer seems like a good investment. He can bring further income to the community.
Politicians bring in no income...they just pee it all away.0 -
Sounds like a few public officials need to go to jail. The states atty general needs to send in auditors to see where the "money went". 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
Sounds like a few public officials need to go to jail. The states atty general needs to send in auditors to see where the "money went".
The town is now under investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division, the IRS and the State Ethics Commission for its financial problems, including some big spending by employees0 -
In Colorado...In the absence of the Marshal or Chief....The mayor becomes the Chief...After a few bar fights and domestics I'll bet they hire again...real soon! There are allot of small town here that contract with Sheriff's Depts.. 0 -
Most mayors are smart enough to hide the missing money until the next mayor is in office. Sounds like this guy ain't all that bright. [:D] 0 -
man! i bet robberies skyrocket there now!...can you open carry there?...concealed carry? the people may have to form a volantary force to protect their town! even if it was illegal to carry there i would anyway...i would take my chances in court if i was charged...and i bet not one of those politicians will be charged..or if a miricle happens and they do they will worm out of it with a good lawyer!///paid for no doubt by the tax payers money!...the cops there should have shot the mayor and blamed it on someone else and let it be an unsolved crime![:(!] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bhale187
Google search showed Gaston has 1400 people. A 6 officer PD is HUGE for 1400 people by standards around here. 6 sounds like the norm to me...that's 2 officers per shift, 3 shifts per day.0 -
Hummmm....let's see.
Missing town money.[:(] "Money Bags" Select lives there.[:0]
Guess that explains the Vettes!!![;)][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
quote:Originally posted by bhale187
Google search showed Gaston has 1400 people. A 6 officer PD is HUGE for 1400 people by standards around here. 6 sounds like the norm to me...that's 2 officers per shift, 3 shifts per day.
2 officers per shift for 1400 people [:0] Around here towns under 5k people usually don't have a PD at all, and most large PD have alot more citizens per officer. LAPD for example has something like 80k people per officer.0 -
Man you can carry any way you want. No police to stop you. NICE 0
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