Letter to the Editor: Talk to council members, reader advises townspeople

There is a rumor circulating around Odessa that certain town council members are considering doing away with the police department of Odessa and contracting with the sheriff’s department for coverage. This was tried several years ago and the people of Odessa told the council that they wanted to keep our police department.

If there is the slightest chance that the rumor is true, the people of Odessa should talk to their council members and let them know how they feel. The last time, we were told that the sheriff’s department would absorb all of our equipment and if we decided we did not want to sign a renewal contract, and wanted to re-start our own department, then we would not get back any of that equipment. Also, the coverage from the sheriff’s department would not be as extensive as our own department provides.

If the argument is made that the sheriff’s department is less expensive, I think somebody should take a better look. If the way the contract with the sheriff’s department for dispatching of our police is an indication, then the cost will just keep going higher and higher.

According to an article in the Davenport Times, the “Sheriff needs more deputies – and dollars.” If he needs that now to cover what he has going on in the county, then where would we fit in for coverage? Would we get our money’s worth, or would we be paying to help with coverage in the county?

People of Odessa, don’t take a chance this rumor is false. Talk to your town council members! We need our police department.

One other note: If this matter comes up for a vote, then it appears that council member Watkins has a conflict of interest, since he is employed by the sheriff’s department. Therefore, he should not get to vote on this matter.

A very concerned citizen,

Kathy Myers,

Odessa