The chiefs request more personnel

The chiefs of both the police and fire departments in Westminster made their case last night for more personnel in 2020-21. Both departments incurred job losses when the city council chopped city budgets in 2016 to avoid revenue shortfalls. But, as the mayor and council heard last night, the Westminster police and fire departments are having trouble staffing their shifts. For the police, the problem is worsened by the fact that, according to Chief Rory Jones, his department is one of the lowest-paying departments in the Upstate. Fire Chief Michael Smith also has trouble finding men and women willing to train to acquire the expertise to put out fires. Smith says the numbers of the volunteer squad, which supports the full-time fire fighters, is getting dangerously low. Smith wants to hire three new full-time fire fighters. Some members of city council are worried that without adequate numbers of police officers around the clock, the criminal element will take advantage. Jones would like three new police officers, but he’d accept two.