The leaders in a northwest Iowa city of 1,800 have decided to get rid of their police department. The city of Alta has signed an agreement with the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department to take over law enforcement in the city beginning next month.
Sheriff Gary Launderville says it’s a good time for the agreement as one of Alta’s police officers is on military deployment and another plans to retire at the end of September. This week, two deputies were hired, who will patrol during the night shift, with day calls handled by other county deputies.
Alta will turn over their two police vehicles and other equipment to the sheriff’s department on October 15th. The agreement is for three years.
By Joel Hermann, KAYL, Storm Lake