Road to Understanding: Police shortage, road maintenance top issues for Box Elder County


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BRIGHAM CITY — In an area known for its peaches and for Promontory Summit — the meeting point of the transcontinental railroad — Box Elder County has a rich heritage.

However, like other areas of the Beehive state, the residents also face some unique issues.

Brigham City, the capital of Box Elder, was established in 1867, making this year its sesquicentennial anniversary. Celebrations have already begun, according to Mayor Tyler Vincent. Festivities include a poetry reading, soap box derby, a heritage art festival and a play depicting the history of the area.

While the area has grown and seen a variety of successes, it also has its issues as well.

Police officer shortage

One of the biggest problems the community of roughly 18,500 residents has faced in recent years is a shortage of police officers, according to city officials.

The Brigham City police department currently has 26 officers — a full staff. But in the past couple of years, the department has been short as many as five officers at one time— 20 percent of their needed staff.

Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL
Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL

Vincent credits the shortage to what he says is a hostile climate facing members of law enforcement in the wake of several high-profile officer-involved shootings across the nation.

"It’s a very scary thing," he said. "We rely on those folks to keep us safe and provide safe communities. They put their lives on the line. … It’s sad, and as we work with law enforcement, I don’t think there’s anybody who hasn’t had an issue with law enforcement, but I will tell you, for the most part, our law enforcement officers are very honest and are concerned about the citizens."

Box Elder County Sheriff Kevin Potter said the sheriff's department has also struggled recently to find deputies and jail workers. There are about 15 openings currently, he said, which makes up 10 to 15 percent of the department.

"Right now, we're staying so we can still staff our minimums, but the way things are going, if we can't get hired ahead, we're going to be in trouble," he said.

Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL
Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL

In his opinion, the shortage comes from applicants failing to pass background checks, and from those who take jobs in Salt Lake County where they will get paid more.

While the area doesn’t see a lot of crime, Vincent said the lack of officers puts a strain on the community and the existing police force. However, he said, there is a strong support system available when staffing gets tight.

“One of the things I love, especially about Box Elder County, is all the agencies are willing to help one another,” he said. “When our officers are busy, the county will come and assist us, as well as the Utah Highway Patrol will come in and help us as well. … It’s a great thing to be able to see them come and help us.”

Road and sidewalk maintenance

Another issue that Brigham City residents face is maintenance of the public streets and sidewalks, Vincent said.

The city launched a program, “Tape A Trip,” to allow citizens to report sidewalks that are not level or that otherwise need maintenance. The city employees can then go mark the area until they can fix it.

But a lack of adequate funding has made upkeep difficult.

Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL
Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL

A recent local option tax increase that would have contributed funds to road and sidewalk maintenance didn’t pass in Box Elder County. And because a lot of the money for public roadways comes from a state gas tax that hasn’t changed with inflation, the county received about 40 percent less funding for roads in 2015 than in 1997, according to Brigham City Administrator Jason Roberts.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the funds to go through and do everything,” Vincent said. “That’s what’s hard. Sometimes we have to let our citizens know we only have so much money to go so far.”

Attractions to the area

Despite some of the challenges the area is facing, Box Elder has a vibrant economy, with its well-known “Fruit Belt” of farms — that includes its famous peaches — a growing manufacturing industry and a possible place on the map for the pickeball community.

Brigham City holds its annual Peach Days each year in September which includes the biggest car show in the state, a parade and lots of vendors. Vincent said last year the festival drew around 60,000 visitors.

Historic Brigham City building. Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL
Historic Brigham City building. Photo credit: Faith Heaton Jolley, KSL

The county also hosts several big manufacturing companies, including Proctor and Gamble and Orbital ATK.

In 2016, the county also started a pickleball tournament, which with the city's 17 courts, became the second largest in the nation behind a tournament held in Centralia, Washington.

“I am very happy with the city,” Vincent said. “Financially, we are in a good position and I feel that our county is the same. All the mayors in our county and our commissioners all work very well together. We try to promote each community (to) be viable and successful. I don’t think there’s ever been a time in the history of Box Elder County that mayors and commissioners have ever been so united as we are today.”

Contributing: Marc Giauque and Sean Moody

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