A small Northern California town is confronting renewed public-safety concerns after officials voted to reduce an already understaffed police department, leaving residents questioning who will respond during emergencies.
The Alturas City Council voted 3-2 Thursday morning to eliminate one of the five positions in the city’s police department. The officer is expected to be laid off by Dec. 31.
Plans to consider cutting two more positions have been temporarily paused, but the vote has already drawn criticism from residents and law enforcement officials.
“The Alturas Police Officers Association would like to thank everyone for showing up today… We are saddened by this decision and believe that more could be done to rectify the situation,” the police association said Thursday.
The cuts stem from a Sept. 30 budget proposal by City Manager Warren Farnam, which initially called for eliminating three positions from the department.
In a city of about 2,500 people, the proposal immediately raised concerns. Alturas currently has only five officers, including the police chief, while a dispatcher manages emergency 911 calls.
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Police officials previously warned that eliminating three positions would leave the department dangerously understaffed. They questioned how remaining officers could respond to emergencies, manage simultaneous calls and provide backup when needed.
“The elimination of three officer positions would leave the department with only two sworn officers and the Chief. Such a reduction raises serious concerns about how APD could maintain coverage, respond to simultaneous calls for service, and safely handle emergencies requiring multiple officers,” the city’s police department said in a response dated Oct. 18.
Residents have also condemned the possibility of additional cuts, urging city leaders to find other ways to close the budget gap without compromising public safety.
“Every effort needs to be taken to keep the police department operational… The City Council needs to look into other options. That is their job to help keep our town safe,” resident Sandy Sphar commented under the post.
Alturas is located in northeastern California near the Oregon and Nevada borders and is the only incorporated city in Modoc County.
The city spans about 2.9 square miles, making its police department an essential resource for residents and the surrounding community.
