ADDYSTON, Ohio (WKRC) – The Addyston Village Council said it can no longer afford to have a police department and is turning public safety over to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Money was already tight when the village found out that INEOS was going to close. Although a tough decision, council members were honest: It’s cheaper for the county to take over the police force.

It will also provide coverage that the village does not have now. There is only one full-time officer and one part-time officer each weekend. Mayor Lisa Mear said securing police service has been an issue all year, as has retaining officers.

The closing of the INEOS plant was the last straw. Mear said Hamilton County has agreed to take over for $87,000 a year. The village will hand over all the equipment to them as part of the decision.

“We’ve been trying since last November. So it’s been a year of trying to keep a police department together. It’s been a hell of a ride to even try to find officers to work and the costs associated with that,” Mear said. .

“Addyston has been around for a long time and they’ve been struggling, but we need to think about giving someone else the opportunity to be able to come so we can be properly patrolled,” resident Aletha Nortila said.

Addyston’s police chief was absent from Tuesday’s vote, much to the dismay of residents. Additionally, the sheriff’s office said it would have no problem taking on the additional responsibility. Mear said if paperwork goes according to plan, she hopes Hamilton County will take over by Friday.