On a near unanimous vote the Town of Freedom board is deciding to eliminate its police department and contract with the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department.
The room was full with people turning out to debate the issue last night.
The community has two full-time officers and one part-time position.
Under the new plan, the town would get two full-time officers and one of them would spend part-time as a school police officer, something the community doesn’t have.
The school district would share the cost of that officer, and town officials say that would save about $119,000 a year.
Gerald Reiland of Freedom thinks the county does a great job, but he isn’t sure they should give up local control.
Town Supervisor Brandon Conrad says the county already handles 75 percent of the calls that come in for the town.
He doesn’t think it makes sense to pay $225,000 for a department that only handles 25 percent.
The county board still needs to approve the contract.
