The city says the village can no longer afford the police department and they will disband them

ADDYSTON, Ohio (WKRC) – The Addyston Village Council said it can no longer afford to have a police department and they are turning over public safety to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Money was already tight when the village found out INEOS would close. Although it was a difficult decision, council members were honest: it is cheaper to let the province take over the police.

It will also provide coverage that the village currently does not have. There is only one full-time officer and one part-time officer every other weekend. Mayor Lisa Mear said funding the police has been an issue all year, as has retaining officers.

The closure of the INEOS factory was the final straw. Mear said Hamilton County has agreed to buy the company for $87,000 a year. As part of the decision, the village will transfer all its equipment to them.

“We have been trying to do this since November last year. So it’s been a year of trying to keep a police department together. It was a very difficult road to even find agents to work and the costs that came with that,” Mear said. .

“Addyston has been around for a long time and they’ve had a tough time, but we need to look at giving someone else the opportunity to come in so we can patrol properly,” said resident Aletha Nortila.

Addyston’s police chief did not attend Tuesday’s vote, much to the dismay of residents. Additionally, the sheriff’s office said it will have no problem taking on the additional responsibility. Mear said if the paperwork goes as planned, she hopes Hamilton County will take over on Friday.