Edgewood Police Department Shut Down

EDGEWOOD—The fate of the Edgewood Police Department could rest with a city council decision coming Monday.

The five full-time employees of the department were notified Thursday morning by Edgewood Mayor Charlie Prater that the department’s operations had been suspended until then.

Following a meeting with Edgewood Police Chief Henry Askew and his staff, Prater said the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office had agreed to provide law enforcement coverage for the city through Monday.

"At this time, the Edgewood Police Department is closed…pending possible action at an Edgewood City Council meeting scheduled July 28," Prater said.

That meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the city office.

Prater said Edgewood citizens should call the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office or 9-1-1 in an emergency situation through Monday.

Van Zandt County Sheriff "R.P." Pat Burnett and Chief Deputy John Turner were present at the meeting Thursday.

"I was called by the mayor to help with this situation and as long as I am sheriff we are going to help when and where my department is needed," Burnett said.

"We will be covering Edgewood over the weekend and through Monday until their council meets on Monday morning. We are here to protect all citizens of the county and this is part of the job," he added.

Prater said that all four police officers have been placed on paid leave until then.

What happens beyond that is far less certain.

"Pending discussions on this agenda item, we (city council) will consider the continuation or dissolution of the department," Prater said.

He said the decision to cease operations, at least through the weekend, was one of "purely economic" reasons.

"There are no criminal or disciplinary reasons involved," Prater said.

Edgewood’s situation comes on the heels of similar dilemmas at other police departments in the area. The city of West Tawakoni is looking at cutting one full-time officer position from its department and the city of Lone Oak this week named an interim police chief after a mass resignation last month.

"With four dollar a gallon gas, utilities and ever increasing insurance rates, it puts a lot of pressure on small towns," Prater said.

This is the second time in recent history Edgewood has been without its own police department. The other instance occurred about 10 years ago, Prater said, when a proposed departmental budget cut spurred the resignation of all officers at the same time.

"It is always a volatile situation anytime you have to discuss layoffs and possible dissolution of a department," Prater said.

He did not indicate specifically what measures the council may consider Monday to reopen the police department.

"Being a proactive council, we will be looking at different ideas, and at budget time, that is always on the forefront," Prater said.

"Since the police department is the largest department in the general fund, the city is taking a hard look at how we can operate security in the city in the most efficient and effective way," he added.