By Andrea Calcagno
 
November 19, 2009
 
SHADY COVE, Ore. - The Shady Cove Police Department is short officers and a police chief.
 
The city council must decide whether to rebuild the department or contract law enforcement services with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.
 
The council held a town hall meeting Thursday to get community comment on the issue.
 
The city will either need to hire a police chief and additional officers or pay for a contract with the county to maintain an appropriate level of public safety.
 
Shady Cove police officials told the community Friday that there is not enough staff to maintain 24 hour patrols in the area, which leads to officer fatigue when working overtime hours.
 
Some community members told the council there is pride of ownership in having a local police department, and the officers are like family. Others argued more services can be accessed at a more cost effective rate if the city contracts with the county.
 
If the city chooses to contract with the county, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office would allow Shady Cove police to transfer. The city is considering two different contracts with the city. One provides three full time deputies, and another providing two deputies and one community service officer.
 
Shady Cover police staff would be allowed to work for the sheriff's office.
 
The council will vote on the issue in December.