The City of Lake Waukomis has joined the ranks of communities seeking contract police services with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.
Platte County commissioners approved the contract at the Tuesday, Feb. 18 administrative session. The contract was signed by Lake Waukomis mayor Dennis Todd on Thursday, Feb. 6. The Sheriff’s Office took over patrol duties in the city from Platte Woods on Jan. 1. The contract outlines an hourly rate of $30.48 for law enforcement services for approximately 170 hours per month.
The City of Platte Woods had handled patrol duties and police services for the city since October 2018, but the contract was allowed to expire at the end of 2019.
Todd, in a statement to residents last month said it was the right decision to not extend the agreement with Platte Woods.
“While the board (of aldermen) and I were looking forward to a promising long-term solution with the trial agreement with the Platte Woods Police Department, it ultimately did not prove to be the right solution,” Todd said. “The board could have agreed to renew the one-year agreement. However, after evaluating the services and leadership that were provided for the money paid to Platte Woods, as well as the proposed decrease in service and higher fees to be paid in 2020, a tough but right decision was made not to extend the agreement.”
According to Major Erik Holland, sheriff’s office patrol personnel will enforce municipal ordinances, except for code violations or nuisance ordinances. The county will also handle animal control services for the city.
The city is part of a growing trend, as the sheriff’s office handles police services now for Dearborn, Houston Lake and Camden Point after those cities closed their municipal police departments. Holland said two more cities have been in talks with the county for the sheriff’s office to take over policing services. The county also handles animal control services for Platte City and Ferrelview.
“We’ve been experiencing different municipalities not able to maintain their police departments or closing their departments,” Holland said.
Under state law, the sheriff’s office must respond to calls within their jurisdiction regardless of contract status. Farley and Iatan have fallen under this category for many years. However, a contract guarantees a certain number of hours will be dedicated to a particular city and ensures more regular patrols.