SHOSHONE COUNTY, Idaho — Shoshone County voters rejected a public safety levy this week, forcing the sheriff’s office to consider significant cuts to staff and services as the agency struggles with hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget shortfalls.
The sheriff’s office turned to voters for additional funding after the county commissioners cut a chunk of its funding earlier this year.
“It’s disappointing,” said Clint Knowels, who has lived in Shoshone County for over 30 years. “We’re in dire need of more funds for our public services.”
The levy failure comes as the rural north Idaho county grapples with drug trafficking along Interstate 90.
“Having I-90 going right through your county, particularly a rural one, it’s hard to staff the resources and fund the resources to properly combat that,” said Seth Green, patrol captain for the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.
The agency has experienced significant leadership turnover in recent weeks, losing both its sheriff and jail captain within a two-week period. Green said the departures leave only himself and the undersheriff as administrators.
Despite the financial constraints, Green said the department has had recent achievements in combating drug crimes in the county.
“We actually increased drug crime apprehension by over 60%. We even obtained a clearance rate of 82%,” Green said.
However, financial uncertainty has forced the agency to suspend some major investigations.
“We have to put some stuff on pause in preparation for [getting a new sheriff]. So, that’s where we’re putting a majority of our assets – particularly in administration right now,” Captain Green said.
Captain Green said the budget shortfall and is also affecting deputies.
“It affects them, there families. They worry if they are going to have work here in a couple weeks,” he said. “It’s a rough situation at the moment.”
Some residents said they are worried the funding cuts will result in an increase in crime.
“Our community is going to see a rise in crime because of this outcome,” said Shoshone County resident Kelly Woods.
Captain Green said the department is waiting for a new sheriff to be appointed before making major decisions.
“What we’ve done as of late is start to put together, what if scenarios. So we’ll put together a list of options and ideas for the incoming sheriff.”
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