Rick Walter, who became Scott City’s police chief on March 23, said he hopes to reopen the city’s jail within the next three months as he spoke Thursday at the Scott City Chamber of Commerce’s monthly coffee at the Front Porch Rental Hall spoke. Walter previously served as Scott County Sheriff for 12 years.
Jeff Lang
Scott City’s top law enforcement officer, Police Chief Rick Walter, told the Scott City Chamber of Commerce Thursday that he intends to reopen the city jail within the next three months.
The now-closed prison at 618 Main Street is currently being remodeled.
“We currently send our prisoners to the Mississippi County Jail, and that costs us $35 per person per day — not to mention the round-trip fare that officers spend transporting a prisoner to Charleston, Missouri ‘ Walter told chamber-goers at SCACOC’s monthly coffee in the Front Porch Rental Hall.
Walter, who has been in office for almost a month, is no stranger to the law enforcement community, having served as Scott County Sheriff for 12 years from 2004 to 2016.
“We have a lot to do. Policing at a city level is a little different than at the county or federal level, and it’s a learning experience,” said Walter, who started at the municipality on March 23.
“I’d like to add another officer to the force and I’m also looking at scholarships.”
Walter said his department is training a new dog handler for the department’s drug-sniffing dog.
Capt. Wayne Hampton, a former Scott City police officer, has returned to town to join Walter. The two men have worked together before.
Dustin Whitworth is Scott City Ward Manager. Whitworth said the proceeds from the recently passed excise tax will be most directly spent on employee retention efforts while speaking at the Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly coffee meeting in the Front Porch Rental Hall on Thursday.
Jeff Lang
citywide
Dustin Whitworth, Scott City’s new administrator, reminded chamber members that he graduated from Scott City High School in 1990 and said he has top priority for the city’s use tax, which will be voted in the May 5 municipal general election. April was approved with 52.7% to 47.3%.
“Employee retention is #1,” Whitworth said, noting that after voters approved the 1.75% tax on out-of-state and online shopping, the city was able to become more competitive by granting pay raises in the job market.
Referring to the city’s streets, Whitworth said up to 10 streets are “prepared” for new paving, adding one goal is to replace the city’s 47 operational fire hydrants in the future.
Whitworth also offered residents a promise about the city’s police force.
“We want our officers to be seen out there and speaking to families,” he said.