East Thermopolis chooses not to renew police, animal control contracts

In a letter to the Thermopolis Mayor and Town Council, it was expressed that the East Thermopolis Town Council has not decided to renew the Police and Animal Control contract at this time.

The East Thermopolis council expressed appreciation for the years of service provided, but the letter noted the present financial situation demands they address rising enterprise costs before increasing other expenses.

At the May 16 meeting of the Thermopolis Town Council, proposed figures of $25,000 for police, and $30,000 for police and animal control were approved, to present to East Thermopolis. The numbers were an increase from the $22,680 previously paid — $17,860 for police and $4,800 for animal control.

With the East Thermopolis council’s decision not to renew the contract, it means the Hot Springs Sheriff’’s Office is now the primary law enforcement agency for East Thermopolis beginning July 1, though the police can still respond to incidents if needed.

According to Wyoming Statute 7-2-106, a peace officer can take on extraterritorial authority if the officer is responding to a request for law enforcement assistance made by a law enforcement agency of another jurisdiction or a specific request to assist another peace officer acting within the scope of his official duties in another jurisdiction.

An officer also can take on extraterritorial authority if he possesses reasonable cause to believe that a crime is occurring involving an immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death to any person.

Such authority can also be taken on if the officer is in fresh pursuit of a subject whom the officer has probable cause to believe has committed, within the officer’s jurisdiction, a violation of a municipal ordinance or state statute, including traffic infractions, or for whom an arrest warrant is outstanding for any criminal or traffic offense.

Sheriff Lou Falgoust further explained the Sheriff’s Office will be able to enforce state statutes and county resolutions, but not town codes or ordinances. He said they would absorb the additional duties as they are duty-bound to should East Thermopolis decline the contract for police services.

Both Falgoust and Police Chief Steve Shay said the shift in enforcement duties will not impact the number of officers and deputies they have. Shay said officers continue to stay busy with their current workload. While the change will reduce some of the calls they’ve had, Shay said, he doesn't expect it will free up a lot of slack time.

Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby said the loss of over $22,000 in revenue is unfortunate. The change will free up officers a bit more, Crosby said, but there is plenty of work for them to do, and there is a definite need for the officers and dispatchers we have to cover where they are needed.

Crosby noted costs regarding the police department have gone up. Officers have to attend a couple more weeks training, and the cost of vehicles has risen as well.

An East Thermopolis official said the decision to not renew the Police and Animal Control contract is one based around money, as town and county incomes have dropped significantly in the past three years.

The official said the current plan is to hang tough and see where they get. He said there could be some changes down the road, and East Thermopolis could again sign a contract with the town for police and animal control.

There was no big fight between the two entities, the source said, and East Thermopolis was satisfied with the services provided.