In a detailed statement released by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff David Thoroughman openly criticized Portsmouth Police Chief Brewer's plans to expand police coverage to Clay Township, citing significant financial concerns and a potential reduction in local law enforcement for Portsmouth residents.
Thoroughman dissected Brewer's proposal, which is anchored on the assertion that two additional police officers could provide consistent 24/7 coverage to the township, however as noted by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and by the laws of simple arithmetic that for every single "beat" to achieve nonstop coverage, a minimum headcount of five officers is required - not just two, the stats don't seem to add up. Yet, Chief Brewer insists her model will suffice. The Sheriff remarks that the funding for this expansion, estimated at an additional $80,000 to $100,000 yearly for the two officers alone, let alone the comprehensive cost, which balloons to an approximate $387,207.62 more annually, will ultimately become the burden of Portsmouth's taxpayers, a situation he deems unjustifiable, especially during a period when the city is striving to emerge from its fiscal watch status.
In his lengthy and critical observation, Thoroughman recounted the disparity between the policing services rendered to the citizens of Portsmouth in comparison to what is promised to Clay Township—a coverage that seems overly ambitious based on Portsmouth’s current financial and staffing challenges if, indeed, Chief Brewer plans to re-allocate existing Portsmouth officers to manage this new "Beat," it would inadvertently result in decreased local police presence and put an undue strain on municipal resources which he deemed a disservice to the citizens who pay their taxes expecting complete and undiverted local policing.
The Sheriff's analysis is rooted in his wealth of experience, with past roles including a Captain and Acting Chief of Police within the department he scrutinizes. These insights lend gravity to his claims that this plan is costly and likely to compromise police coverage for Portsmouth citizens. He argues that removing officers from the city for tasks in the County undeniably reduces the local police force, irrespective of the justification provided by smoke and mirrors. Thoroughman's discourse culminates in a call to action, urging residents of Portsmouth and surrounding to raise their voices in opposition to a plan he sees as flawed in conception and detrimental in practice to their interests.
It is still unclear how the city council will respond to the Sheriff's concerns or how public opinion will shape the future of the proposed arrangement. Chief Brewer has not publicly addressed the Sheriff’s detailed financial calculations and the ramifications of the expansion to Clay Township. This ongoing tension between local law enforcement leaders uncovers the complexities behind public safety logistics and the fragile balance between municipal ambition and the fiscal realities of a city on the verge of financial recovery.
