OAK HILL, Fla.,None — Leaders of the city of Oak Hill are trying to decide what they'll do next after they cut the entire police force on Tuesday.
WFTV learned that the eight-person police force is gone after years of controversy, but their cars are still there. The city will make the difficult choice of starting over with the police department some day or losing it for good.
When Oak Hill leaders shut the doors to the Police Department in the face of politics and controversy, it didn't take long for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office to begin patrolling the 10 square miles that make up Oak Hill.
"At that point we automatically put deputies in Oak Hill to protect the residents of Oak Hill," said Ben Johnson of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
City leaders said they have been in talks with Johnson before the shut down about taking over.
In the past few years, the Police Department has been a hot bed for misconduct among officers and mismanagement. Some officials placed heavy blame on the embattled former chief Diane Young who wouldn't speak to WFTV on Tuesday.
Either way, some residents said they are happy to see change.
"Are you happy the sheriff's office is here instead?" asked WFTV reporter Blaine Tolison.
"Yes, I am," said a resident.
"Why is that?" asked Tolison.
"At least maybe something will get done now," said the resident.
But there are others who believe Oak Hill police got the job done.
"They've done a fine job. I don't see where we need Volusia County to come in here and to take over," said Richard Cooper, Oak Hill resident.
In order to take over, Oak Hill will eventually have to pay for at least four deputies to cover the city around the clock. The city has $490,000 in its budget that was for operating the Police Department and paying salaries, reports showed.
The sheriff said he wouldn't offer any preliminary figures, but in other cities like Deltona, taxpayers are charged about $135,000 a year for each deputy who patrols.
The situation is much different in Oak Hill where there are only a few thousand people.
The city will discuss its options with the sheriff's office next Monday during a commission meeting.
WFTV
