BESSEMER CITY, N.C. —
Bessemer city leaders have voted to stop paying the county and start their own police force.
Monday night’s vote came after months of arguing with Gaston County police over the rising cost of service.
It was Mayor Becky Smith’s vote in favor of a local police force that broke a city council tie.
The Gaston Gazette reports that before making her decision she asked the city manager about the numbers one last time.
The city manager thinks Bessemer City could save around $300,000 per year once the department is up and running.
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