Kimmswick Votes to Dissolve Police Department, Turns to Jefferson County Sheriff for Law Enforcement

A significant change is coming to law enforcement in the historic river town of Kimmswick after the Board of Aldermen voted to dissolve the city's police department and place primary responsibility for law enforcement services in the hands of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

The decision follows the retirement of the city's police chief and concerns about the financial burden of maintaining a municipal police department. City officials emphasized that residents and businesses will continue receiving law enforcement services, although the city will no longer operate its own department.

During the meeting, Mayor Ken Kraft explained that the retirement of Chief Steve Devore, along with the departure of another officer, left Kimmswick facing difficult decisions about staffing and the costs associated with maintaining a police force.

"The cost is just astronomical," he told aldermen while explaining the reasoning behind the proposed dissolution.

The Mayor estimated that maintaining the department could consume more than half of the city's budget, potentially creating financial difficulties in the coming years.

"It is kind of a bummer, you know, not have our own actual little town police at this moment in time," Kraft acknowledged.

However, city leaders stressed that the decision does not necessarily mean Kimmswick will never have its own police department again.

The city could reestablish a department in the future if sufficient funding becomes available to properly staff and operate it.

Sheriff's Office to Assume Law Enforcement Responsibilities

Under the resolution approved by aldermen, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will become the primary agency responsible for responding to law enforcement calls within Kimmswick.

The city's attorney explained that Missouri law allows municipalities to enter into agreements with other public entities for law enforcement services.

The resolution formally discontinues the existing police department and authorizes the sheriff to assume responsibility for calls involving criminal activity within the city.

That includes responding to emergencies, investigating thefts and other crimes, and providing the same basic law enforcement services the Sheriff's Office provides to residents living in unincorporated portions of Jefferson County.

The attorney explained that the resolution was particularly important for establishing clear legal authority and avoiding confusion over which agency is responsible for responding to incidents.

Alderman and Mayor Pro-tem Andrew Arnold raised concerns about ensuring that residents calling 911 would not encounter confusion or delays because Kimmswick no longer has a staffed police department.

"We don't want any confusion when someone calls 911," he said, explaining that directing calls to a department without a chief or adequate staffing would be a disservice to residents.

The Mayor reassured the board that the change would not leave Kimmswick without police protection, stating that this resolution was a direct response to conversations with Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak.

The Sheriff's Office will respond to calls and investigate crimes under its new responsibility for the city.

Festivals and Special Events Will Require Separate Arrangements

While regular law enforcement responsibilities will shift to the Sheriff's Office, Kimmswick's popular festivals and special events present an additional financial consideration.

The city is known for attracting visitors to events such as the Apple Butter Festival, Christmas celebrations and other community gatherings. These events often require additional officers to help manage crowds, traffic and public safety.

City leadership explained that while the Sheriff's Office is willing to assume normal law enforcement responsibilities, additional security and staffing for festivals will require separate arrangements and will be billed to the city.

"They're willing to cover everything we need, minus the festivals," Kraft explained. "They will charge us and bill us for that."

The city attorney clarified that a final written agreement with the Sheriff's Office has not yet been completed.

Additional discussions will be necessary to establish how many deputies will be required for particular events, what those services will cost and the terms under which they will be provided.

The attorney said those details would likely be addressed through a more formal agreement between the city and the Sheriff's Office.

For Kimmswick, where tourism and festivals are an important part of the community's identity, those discussions will determine how the city manages public safety at its larger gatherings without its own police force.

City Leaves Door Open to Future Department

Although the board approved the dissolution, city leadership made clear that the decision could be reversed by a future administration.

Officials explained that the city could reestablish a municipal police department if the financial resources needed to support one become available.

For now, however, maintaining an independent department was described as financially unsustainable.

The board approved the resolution following a discussion of the legal implications and the need to ensure uninterrupted law enforcement coverage.

When a resident later asked when the change would take effect, the response was that the transition would begin the following day.

The decision marks the end of Kimmswick's existing municipal police department and the beginning of a new arrangement in which the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will serve as the city's primary law enforcement agency.

Other Business Before the Board

In addition to the police department decision, aldermen considered several matters involving public safety, historic preservation and upcoming community events.

Fire Codes and Business Inspections

Rock Community Fire District Fire Marshal Jeff Delapp discussed upcoming changes to building and electrical codes, including the anticipated adoption of the 2027 International Code Council standards.

Delap said the review and adoption process could extend into early 2028.

He also discussed the possibility of introducing fees for repeated fire safety reinspections at businesses that fail to correct violations. The proposal remains under consideration.

Historic Property Renovation

The board also heard plans for the restoration of a property at 803 High Street, identified as Windsor Cottage, for use as a short-term rental.

The proposed renovations include foundation repairs, restoring the home's exterior appearance, updating electrical and plumbing systems, and improving stairways.

Fire officials cautioned that nightly rentals can face additional safety requirements, including sprinkler systems, and recommended a preliminary inspection before the owner proceeds further with construction plans.

Christmas Events and Camel Rides

Aldermen approved plans for camel rides and horse-drawn carriage rides during upcoming Christmas festivities, subject to insurance requirements and weather-related conditions.

The discussion included concerns about protecting city property from damage. Officials agreed that camel rides could take place on the city field during dry conditions, with an alternative gravel area available if the ground becomes too wet.

Advertising Signs and Downtown Parking

The board also directed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance addressing advertising signs placed in public parking areas, sidewalks and rights-of-way.

Officials said sandwich boards and other promotional signs have increasingly interfered with available parking and traffic movement in the downtown area.

The proposed ordinance will return for consideration at a future meeting.

A New Chapter for Kimmswick

For a community that has long maintained its own small-town police presence, the dissolution represents a notable change in how public safety will be handled.

City officials said the decision was driven primarily by staffing changes and financial considerations, rather than a desire to reduce law enforcement services.

Residents and businesses will now depend on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for police response and criminal investigations, while city leaders work toward a formal agreement addressing additional services for festivals and special events.

Whether Kimmswick eventually restores its own police department remains an open question. For now, the city is moving forward with county-provided law enforcement as it seeks to balance public safety needs with the realities of its municipal budget.

Who's Keeping an Eye on Your Local Government?