Youth City, Arizona, disbands its police department

Youth City, Arizona, disbands its police department (Alberta Times) On December 1, Youth City leaders voted unanimously to dissolve the 50-year-old police department...

Youth City, Arizona, disbanded its police department (Arizona Times) On December 1, Youth City, Arizona leaders unanimously voted to disband its 50-year-old police department and hire the County Sheriff's Office to protect the town. The resolution, which takes effect immediately, will see the town's seven police officers receive one month's severance pay and return their badges and weapons. The decision comes as Youth City is on the verge of bankruptcy, with residents fiercely opposed to a property tax and town officials saying they don't have the funds to maintain a properly trained and equipped police department. The Town Council also approved a $623,000 contract between the town and the Sheriff's Office through the end of the current fiscal year, which is June 30, 2012. New contracts for the new fiscal year will need to be voted on next year's budget. Town Manager Robinson said cutting the department will save the town $486,000 in the first year and hopes to save more next year. On Grand Avenue, between Ciudad del Sol and El Mirage, the population is only 6,000.