Everton, Mo. – The Everton City Council voted Monday to revive the town’s long‑dormant police department, ending an eight‑year period during which law‑enforcement duties were handled by the Dade County Sheriff’s Office.
New chief sworn in
Immediately after the vote, Nathaniel Newcome was sworn in as Everton’s new Chief of Police. Newcome comes from the Dade County Sheriff’s Office, where he most recently served as a deputy. He told reporters that the town’s residents have been waiting for a local officer who can respond quickly and serve as a familiar face in emergencies.
“We want to have a police department. We want somebody here in town who can be a good figurehead, branch out, and help us create a good police department here in town,” Chief Newcome said. “The Dade County Sheriff’s Office is great, but this way we’re not waiting on response times from who knows where.”
Community reaction
Long‑time resident Larry Jolliff Jr., who moved to Everton over the summer, expressed relief at the news. “[Dade County Sheriff’s Deputies] kind of drive, do a little drive‑through, sit up certain areas, but yeah, they’re just in and out,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing. All towns need a law. Having our own officer will keep things quieter and help us address problems quickly.”
Other townspeople echoed Jolliff’s sentiment, noting that a local officer who knows the community can improve safety and foster trust.
Funding and future plans
Chief Newcome’s salary is currently drawn from a reserve fund the city set aside for the police department. He indicated that the town will seek state and federal grants to supplement the budget and eventually fund an additional officer.
“As of right now, my pay is coming directly from city funds, but I’m going to try to get grants to supplement some of that,” Newcome explained. “We haven’t talked about any taxes. We don’t really want to raise taxes to fund the police department. If I can get everything off grants, then we’ll try that first.”
Looking ahead
The reinstated department marks a significant step for Everton’s public‑safety infrastructure. With Chief Newcome on the beat, residents can expect faster response times, more community‑focused policing, and a stronger sense of local accountability.
City officials plan to hold a public meeting next month to discuss the department’s long‑term goals, including potential expansion of patrol hours and community‑engagement programs.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
