Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Sheriff Kurt Pennala spoke to the Keweenaw County Board last week on the need for additional staff.

Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette

Sheriff Kurt Pennala spoke to the Keweenaw County Board last week on the need for additional staff.

Keweenaw County Sheriff requests larger staff

GRAHAM JAEHNIG

KEWEENAW COUNTY – The County Sheriff’s Department has experienced a 27% increase in call volume in the past five years. As a result, its staff has become stretched.

Sheriff Kurt Pennala addressed the County Board last Wednesday, saying the department has had the same number of full-time employees since 2001.

“That’s 25 years,” he said. “A lot has changed in law enforcement, as you can imagine, in that 25 years.”

Pennala said a lot of the people the department respond to now are a higher severity than in the past.

“There are a lot of people with mental health issues that we’re dealing with, so it’s really more ‘touchy’ calls than what we were dealing with 25 years ago,” he said.

Currently, said Pennala, the Sheriff’s Department has six full-time deputies and one temporary position, which will expire in January.

“If we go back to a six-member staff, we’re probably going to have uncovered nights,” he said.

“We’re going to be sending one guy out by himself at night in a car, covering the whole county. Typically, the nearest backup is coming out of Houghton County, Either Houghton County deputies – Hancock City Police have been up here, Houghton City’s been up here, so they’re waiting an hour for backup.”

To be frank, said Pennala, sending a deputy out alone creates an unsafe situation for that person.

Pennala said he has contacted other law enforcement agencies in the area and learned that nearly all of them have had at least a 25% staff increase since 2001, while Keweenaw County’s has remained the same. The Sheriff’s Department is the only law enforcement agency in Keweenaw County.

Pennala said he has had informal discussions with County Treasurer Eric Hermanson about the topic over the past few years.

“He kind of had it on his radar, and we’ve been really working on tightening budgets at the county,” Pennala said. “We kind of knew this was coming, but unfortunately, when we went from a part-time zoning administrator to a full-time administrator, that really dampened the effort.”

Pennala went on to say that while he understands the county’s financial situation, expanding the sheriff’s staffing is something the county should be focusing on.

“Public safety should remain the Number 1 priority for the county,” he said.

Board Chair Don Piche said this is something the Board needs to start discussing in order to find a solution.

“The sheriff brings this up at a great time,” said Board Vice Chair Del Rajala. “Now is the time to start talking about it, rather than waiting for the 11th hour and kicking that can down the road. This would be an excellent topic.”

Pennala expressed his gratitude for the Board’s constant support of the Sheriff’s Office.

“You guys truly know the challenges that we face,” he said, “and really we appreciate your support.”