Police-service proposal talk of town in Sarcoxie

June 02, 2009 09:54 pm

— By Dustin Shipman
dshipman@joplinglobe.com
SARCOXIE, Mo. — A proposal by the Jasper County sheriff to provide police service for Sarcoxie had people talking Tuesday.
Luke Carroll, owner of M&E Packaging in Sarcoxie, said he tends to stay out of city politics for the most part, but despite what officials say about costs, he is worried about a possible tax increase.
“It would affect everything,” Carroll said. “It would affect the whole town because they would have to raise taxes on everything to pay for it.”
Mike Grimes, a Sarcoxie resident, said that while he is not firmly on one side or the other of the issue, he is concerned.
“The biggest problem that I see or have with it is this: What are they going to really do?” he said.
Sgt. Brent Curran, acting Sarcoxie police chief, said he attended a public meeting Monday night on the issue.
“The general consensus seems to be that most people are against it (a contract with the Sheriff’s Department),” he said. “There are a handful of people that are for it, and what their reasons are, I don’t know. From the meetings that have been held, I have seen people show overwhelming support for the local Police Department.”
Phil Lewis, principal of Sarcoxie High School, said he sees positive aspects of both sides of the issue.
“We have a really good working relationship with Jasper County because of (Cpl.) Matt Smith, our school’s resource officer, who is a great asset to us,” Lewis said. “The relationship between the school and Jasper County is important and a good one. We have also had really good success with the local Police Department as well, so I don’t see this as a positive or a negative.”
Scott McKay, Sarcoxie alderman for the 1st Ward, said he personally would be in favor of the Sheriff’s Department providing police service, but he believes it is his job to listen to the public and vote for what residents think the best course is.
“I am very positive about this and have been,” McKay said. “Some people have some reservations, so we felt we have to know what the people want.
“We want people to be involved and have an idea, and make this decision together. I am for it, and I hope it goes over, but if the people are not for it, then I am going to vote with the people that I represent.”