Sheriff withdraws from law enforcement contract with Syracuse

SYRACUSE - The Syracuse City Council has already amended its new budget after learning that Otoe County Sheriff Colin Caudill is not renewing a law enforcement agreement.

The sheriff’s office has provided code enforcement and patrols within the city since Syracuse eliminated its police department in 2007. At that time, former Mayor Raymond Umbarger said the city was having trouble keeping its police department fully staffed.

 

 

Sheriff Colin Caudill indicated a similar issue impacting this year’s interlocal agreement, saying his staff has been as many as five deputies short. He said staffing shortages are leading him to focus on his office’s core duties.

In 2013, Syracuse agreed to provide the sheriff with office space and a patrol vehicle, while paying $180,000 a year for 24-hour service. Deputies maintained the authority to leave city limits to respond to emergencies and criminal activity.

Syracuse amended its budget to reduce its tax asking by $30,000. Accountant Todd Blome told the city council that amount was authorized because of the interlocal agreement, which is no longer in effect. The sheriff’s office will continue to respond to calls in Syracuse, but not code enforcement. The city has filed at least three code enforcement cases in Otoe County courts so far in 2023.