Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
On Monday, Nov. 7, Eddy County commissioners and Sheriff Paul Lies joined Sheyenne’s City Council at Ostby Hall, where they discussed the Sheriff Department’s presence, or perceived lack thereof, in the City of Sheyenne.
With the sheriff in attendance, Sheyenne’s council members asked how often his deputies go to Sheyenne, particularly in relation to how much they pay for the department’s services.
Mayor Robert Hanson noted that their Joint Powers Agreement with the sheriff’s department was up for a vote that night, and said some community members are concerned with the police presence in town.
Council members Ken Ames and Richard Hoffner were particularly vocal in asserting they hadn’t seen enough police presence within Sheyenne, which they say has led to some illegal activity going unchecked.
In addition to people speeding through town and in the area, one instance they cited was of dangerous driving in town that had put children at risk.
The discussion, which remained cordial and respectful throughout, centered around when and where deputies patrol and look for illegal activity, and how more of a police presence can be shown to reassure Sheyenne’s residents.
Lies began by assuring the council members that his deputies do in fact travel to Sheyenne, and are scheduled to patrol there at least twice per shift.
“They’re here at least two or three times a day,” he said. “Most of the time they come in the evening or towards the night hours. … Just two nights ago they were sitting out here and made 10 stops on Hwy. 281.”
Lies added that between midnight and 2 a.m. is typically “prime time” in the Sheyenne area, noting his deputies are up there at night looking for speeders, drunk drivers, reckless drivers, and any others engaging in illegal activity.
Nevertheless, it was still insisted that not enough presence has been shown around town, particularly since construction on Hwy. 281 began this summer.
“You say they’re here, and I can’t say they ain’t,” said Ames, “but I don’t see them driving around ever.”
“Since road construction started, I haven’t seen them at all,” added Hoffner.
Sheriff Lies’ overall message to the council was that he hears and understands their concerns, and that, going forward, they’ll make more of an effort to show the residents of Sheyenne that their town is properly policed.
“I’ll make sure that they’re up here and making a better presence,” he said.
Lies added that he often hears similar concerns from New Rockford residents as well as residents in eastern Eddy County, making the point that it’s difficult for a small sheriff’s department, albeit fully staffed, to be everywhere at once.
Ahead of Monday’s meeting in Sheyenne, county commissioners sent Sheyenne’s council members the 2023 sheriff’s budget, for the purpose of being entirely transparent about the costs incurred by their department.
According to the budget, which was approved earlier this fall, the sheriff department expects to incur $598,639 in expenses for the year.
“Just to give you a little insight, we have to upgrade our tasers because they’re on the expiring end of their lifetime, and they’re 2,500 bucks a piece,” said Lies. “That’s just one little piece of equipment.”
According to the City of Sheyenne’s 2023 police contract, the city will be paying $29,796 for the sheriff department’s services. By comparison, the City of New Rockford’s 2023 police contract will cost them $160,764.
At the Eddy County Commission meeting on Oct. 1, Chairperson Collier said she appreciated that the Sheyenne City Council had asked for a meeting to express their concerns, and that the commission would be happy to attend out of respect for them and to help resolve the situation.
Following Monday night’s discussion, Sheyenne’s City Council voted unanimously to approve their Joint Powers Agreement with the Eddy County Sheriff’s Department.
