CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Odem city leaders are currently exploring their options to see how they will handle law enforcement calls in the future and if their next fiscal budget can support a local police force.
You might recall it was last September when we first reported the city was facing a budget crisis which ultimately meant letting officers go. Later in February, they also announced that its police chief retired.
DPS and the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office picked up those duties.
Recently, city leaders had a workshop to determine how they will proceed with their next budget which goes into effect at the end of the summer.
If you've taken a drive through Odem then you know there remains a strong law enforcement presence on city streets.
RELATED: Odem police chief retires Monday
San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera said his office is helping save the city thousands of dollars as they try to get back on their feet, financially.
"We took over assisting Odem back in October and full time in February when their chief retired," Rivera said. "One comment to the council was we've saved you about $120,000. Use that money to get out of the financial problems you have."
While the city currently does not have its own police force, Rivera said it's far from a 'lawless' city.
While in Odem, 3NEWS spotted a deputy car turn on its emergency lights and go after a vehicle to enforce traffic laws.
"We're here in Odem 24/7," Rivera said. "We also have deputies assigned to the school district, every day."
The Sheriff said his deputies have not seen a significant increase of emergency calls, saying he's offered to have his next deputy hire assigned specifically to this area.
"I know the community is concerned about an increase in crime, we don't see that," he said. "We receive all the 911 calls for the community, we had a print out, we don't see the increase."
Sal Hernandez is the city's new administrator who said leaders are considering all options moving forward and whether it's feasibly reasonable to keep the police department.
"There are options of contracting directly with the sheriff's office to have a deputy stationed out here on a permanent basis, we're discussing possibly incorporating something with code enforcement, city marshal and there is also the option of continuing with the police department," Hernandez said.
Rivera said there are small things that residents can do to help avoid become victims of crimes like car vandalism or theft.
"Keep those cars locked, it may be a small community but people are roaming around at night to see what they can steal; lock those cars can make a big difference," he said.
Talks will continue on the best solution and again, a solution has to be made by September when the new budget kicks in.
Meantime, the Office of the Governor sent a letter to the city of Odem about a month before the police chief's retirement outlining questions about a state Operation Lone Star Grant in the amount of $143,000.
There were fears the city might have to pay back that grant money.
One of the discrepancies listed in the letter had to do with the department not maintaining a 'grant ledger.'
Hernandez said with the chief's departure, he inherited the task to mull through all through the paperwork.
Odem's Mayor David Maldonado told 3NEWS by phone that city staff worked diligently to submit everything they were asking for as well as an action plan going forward. He said they had to do a lot of searching, because he said records weren't kept well. The mayor said city staff was able to submit what they needed to and they will not have to pay back that $143,000.
However, they did have to pay back just over $700 dollars for some reimbursements that were not covered.