Bluffdale, meanwhile, would lose some of the law-enforcement cushion it received from Riverton, but it will still have a crossover agreement with Herriman and unincorporated Salt Lake County.

Bluffdale has contracted for the equivalent of 3.5 full-time deputies, which is two short of what it needs for 24-hour coverage, Winder said.

"We are hopeful and desirous that Bluffdale will increase its staffing to 5 1/2 full-time (deputies)," the sheriff said. "That would go a long way to enhancing individual coverage."

The Bluffdale City Council added a full-time deputy for fiscal year 2007-08, bringing the city's total to 3.5, and Councilman Bill Maxwell said there are no plans to increase that this year.

"I suspect we'll probably bump it up by another officer next year," Maxwell said. "I don't think we've got to take the whole jump all at once. I think what we've done is very reasonable. I feel (3.5 full-time deputies) is adequate."

Maxwell said the only complaining he's heard about Bluffdale's level of police coverage is coming from Riverton and Herriman, not Bluffdale residents.

"If Bluffdale citizens demand that we (increase service), then they'll have to decide whether they want to pay the tax increase it would take to do that," he said.

Calls to Herriman Mayor Lynn Crane for comment were not returned Thursday.

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