Is Bluffdale shirking on policing?
A crossover agreement allows Salt Lake County sheriff's deputies contracted by one of the southwest cities to respond to calls in another when needed.
Herriman assistant city manager Brett Wood said it's a give-and-take relationship that makes it possible for the cities to provide "quality law enforcement" to residents economically.
But officials from Riverton and Herriman say Bluffdale is doing too much taking and not enough giving. They say deputies contracted by their cities are spending too much time in Bluffdale, and they're looking for ways to correct that.
Bluffdale contracts for the equivalent of 2.5 full-time officers and is left without police coverage two days a week and on graveyard shifts.
Police calls from Bluffdale during those hours are responded to by Riverton, Herriman or unincorporated Salt Lake County deputies.
"That is draining our resources and making a dangerous situation for our citizens if we have an emergency," said Riverton Mayor Bill Applegarth. "It's a great concern for us."
"If (Riverton decides) to go that direction, there's a strong possibility Herriman would follow suit," Wood said.
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak said the cities could opt to "close the borders" to Bluffdale. As of yet, Riverton and Herriman haven't approached the sheriff's office about that action, he said.
"If they were to make a big issue of it, it may change what we respond to," Jaroscak said.
Before it comes to that, Applegarth said he and Herriman Mayor Lynn Crane plan to meet with Bluffdale Mayor Claudia Anderson to discuss their concerns.
"I can't imagine a city in the Salt Lake Valley that doesn't have 24-hour protection," Applegarth said. "I just feel Bluffdale is leaving its citizens vulnerable to inappropriate action. We just don't have the manpower to pick that up for them."
Riverton's budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year included a tax increase to put more money toward public safety. The city increased its police protection by three officers, bringing its total to 16.
Herriman, meanwhile, has imposed a $25-per-month fee for public safety to elevate its police protection. The city also has budgeted for another officer — its 10th — to be added in January.
But Bluffdale city officials say they have no plans to increase police coverage, and that irks the city's neighbors.
"Our residents have stepped up to the plate," Wood said. "Bluffdale needs to step up to the plate."
Bluffdale had budgeted for an additional deputy as part of the proposed Unified Police District, but Bluth said those plans changed when county mayors voted against the creation of a countywide police agency in July.
Councilman Bill Maxwell said the Bluffdale City Council has been monitoring the city's police coverage and has seen that Bluffdale is receiving more help from its neighbors than it is giving.
"We're probably going to have to do something about that," Maxwell said. "I suspect we'll do something in our next budget session for June."
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
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