Yreka Police Department disbandment off the table

YREKA, Calif. — A plan to disband the Yreka Police Department was taken off the City Council’s agenda by Mayor John Mercier Thursday night, after a large public outcry surfaced against it. The council chambers were at full capacity for the regular meeting.

Before the agenda item was opened to the public, Mayor Mercier made an announcement that the item was officially off the table. It would have had the city disband the Yreka Police Department and contract out the service to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.

“I feel we really need to have the Yreka Police Department to service the city of Yreka,” Laura Brower said, a resident of Yreka.

The mayor apologized for the item, and the uproar it caused in the community. The mayor said there needs to be a discussion on how the city is utilizing resources to its best ability. The police department uses 49% of the city’s budget.