A discussion took place concerning law enforcement protection in the City of Guthrie Center.

During the most recent Guthrie Center City Council meeting, the Council requested members from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office discuss the 28E agreement with the City. Sheriff Marty Arganbright said they are contracted to provide 60 hours of service on a weekly basis. He believed his deputies gave more than that, due to the sheriff’s office being located in the City. 

Council member Garold Thomas shared concerns that he heard from residents about wanting 24/7 police protection, which he felt would be cost prohibitive to bring back the City’s police department. 

“But I’m just tired of hearing from people, so I suggest that we put it up for a vote and let them vote, and then it’s over and done with. They’ve had their say. Let them decide and then you don’t have to worry about it anymore because then you can say, ‘You had your chance, this is what happened.’”

The City Council voted in 2015 to disband the police department and Council member Carolyn Masters talked about the situation with the police department, after training new officers, they still had lots of turnover.

“But then when their time is up, then something is going to happen in Monticello, or Cedar Rapids, or wherever they came from. They’re going to get in the car and they’re going to leave. We saw it happen. I just know how burned out everyone got.”    

Following the discussion, the Council decided to investigate how much it would cost to bring back the police department versus the cost of having the sheriff’s office respond to calls.