A 6th policeman may be added at Savannah

SAVANNAH, MO — City aldermen are considering the addition of a sixth police officer for Savannah. Authorities note that the International Association of Chiefs of Police recommends 2.1 officers per 1,000 residents. The police staff at Savannah is less than half that rate, and aldermen note that for a comparison Bethany, Mo., with a population of 3,200, has one police chief and five officers. Although Savannah has one policeman on duty nearly all the time, there is no back-up available should a second call simultaneously occur. There is no time to conduct investigations and only one officer is available to manage school traffic for three large schools. Savannah spent approximately $10,000 on overtime and reserves last fiscal year; another full time officer is expected to cost approximately $34,000.