To the Editor:

In this weeks paper (July 17,2024) I read where the city council voted to increase the salaries of the police department. I feel this is a grave mistake. The road and bridge department some of the budget was shifted to the police department. This has resulted in the citizens of Fayette are forced to drive on atrocious streets. The Police Chief is quoted as saying “We’re killing the city with overtime” I suggest the police department takes a educated look at the times that all 118 crimes were committed in 2022 and focus their officers to those time. I realize that it can not be predicted when crime is going to be committed. I have 2 suggestions to curtail overtime. 1) place all officers on salaried positions. 2) Reduce the number of police that are employed to a more realistic number. Fayette is a small town of less than 3,000 people, The crime rate for 2022 was, 118 crimes in a year. The break down  of crimes for 2022 were as follows: Murder - 1, Rapes - 0, Robberies - 0, Assaults - 3, Thefts - 8, Auto thefts - 2, and Arson - 0. In my opinion Andy of Mayberry would be able to handle this amount of crime and there was only 2 officers in that instance. In addition Fayette is the County Seat of Howard County therefore; the County’s Sheriffs department in housed in this area. They should be available to assist if there was any catastrophic incidents. As for 100% Insurance I do not know of any business that provides that kind of insurance coverage. 

The purchase of a drug incinerator I am sure there could be a way to incorporate the cost with all the cities of Howard County. The Chief of Police also compared the salaries of Fayette with those of Columbia, MO. There are more people in Columbia to protect than there is in all of Howard County combined. I do agree that the police officers in Fayette need more training. It is obvious that their training doesn’t extend in how to speak with citizens and the laws that they as police officers must follow, just as the citizens of this wonderful city must do. 

Thank you

Sheila Smith-Pemberton