Ketchum's mayor and council are considering a proposal from the Blaine County Sheriff's office to incorporate the city's police department and to have law enforcement services in the city supplied and directed by the county.
The city has four really good reasons to seriously pursue the idea.
First, the city is facing nearly a million-dollar revenue shortfall if it doesn't adjust to rapidly declining local sales tax revenues that are the result of fewer retail sales and sagging tourism.
Second, by not filling vacant positions in the police department, including the police chief's position, the city could save $350,000. That still leaves the city with a $650,000 gap between its projected revenue and expenses.
Third, should the economy improve the city would be free to reconstitute a police force separate from the county's if and when the economy improves because one city council cannot permanently bind another when it comes to expenditures.
Fourth, the KPD's reputation was tarnished last year by sloppy investigation and evidence handling in what may have been a case of attempted murder. The case was dismissed and a defendant released when the Blaine County Prosecutor's office determined that evidence had been lost or mishandled by Ketchum officers.
Ketchum's mayor and council would be remiss if they didn't consider measures to save money and improve performance.
The very idea that Ketchum won't have its own police chief and officers dedicated solely to serving the city has upset some residents and businesses.
They are right to want law enforcement concentrated on the city alone, but they must face the hard financial facts.
The nation's transformed economy is forcing painful adjustments on everyone—federal, state and local governments, businesses and families.
Nationally, lower stock prices, reduced home prices, fewer construction projects, fewer retail sales, sagging tourism, fewer jobs and lower tax revenues may be the new "normal" for the foreseeable future.
Ketchum is the commercial center of the valley about 7 months a year when tourism is in high swing, vacation homes are occupied and events that draw large numbers of people to them are underway. Yet, the other five months, demands on police subside somewhat, giving the city some room for sharing responsibilities with the county.
Consolidation of the two law enforcement agencies is likely just the first of many painful choices for the city, which is in good company with other cities and states trying to right themselves in the roiled seas of the troubled economy.
