SIPSEY, Ala. Feb 2 2018 A small town in Walker County no longer has the protection of a local police department after the town council decided to shut the department down.

Former reserve officer Justin Gant found out that he lost his job Wednesday night after seeing a note signed by the mayor posted on the door at Sipsey City Hall.

“It’s really upsetting, to be honest with you,” Gant said. “The council has done everything they could to get us shut down.”

The police department’s doors are locked up tight and every patrol car is locked up behind a fence at town hall. Gant says The Walker County Sheriff’s Office will now take over providing police protection for this town that has 471 residents.

“The county will take over police protection. They have their own issues going on right now and I won’t talk about another police agency because that’s not right,” Gant said. “But they are a very good agency and will take over here in Sipsey for now.”

Sipsey resident Christine Cooper says she and many of her friends are worried about their safety.

“Well, the drugs and people breaking into people’s houses and other crimes, we have got to worry about that now,” Cooper said.

Justin Gant says the City Council’s decision to shut down the police force was wrong.

“This is not fair to us or the residents here. Many of the officers were going to pay to go get certified through the academy here in Alabama. And we’re just here for the citizens, we are not getting paid and not getting any benefits,” Gant said.

The Sipsey Police Department had seven officers, including the chief with six on reserve. The Chief of Police was the only officer on salary.

CBS 42 reached out to the Sipsey town attorney and the Walker County Commission for a comment, but our phone calls have not been returned.

WIAT

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