Is Bluffdale shirking on policing?

City officials in Riverton and Herriman say it's time for Bluffdale to increase its spending for law enforcement or prepare to lose support from its neighbors.

A crossover agreement allows Salt Lake County sheriff's deputies contracted by one of the southwest cities to respond to calls in another when needed.

Herriman assistant city manager Brett Wood said it's a give-and-take relationship that makes it possible for the cities to provide "quality law enforcement" to residents economically.

But officials from Riverton and Herriman say Bluffdale is doing too much taking and not enough giving. They say deputies contracted by their cities are spending too much time in Bluffdale, and they're looking for ways to correct that.

Bluffdale contracts for the equivalent of 2.5 full-time officers and is left without police coverage two days a week and on graveyard shifts.

Police calls from Bluffdale during those hours are responded to by Riverton, Herriman or unincorporated Salt Lake County deputies.

"That is draining our resources and making a dangerous situation for our citizens if we have an emergency," said Riverton Mayor Bill Applegarth. "It's a great concern for us."

One option being talked about in Riverton is to instruct deputies there to stop responding to Bluffdale calls except in life-threatening situations.

"If (Riverton decides) to go that direction, there's a strong possibility Herriman would follow suit," Wood said.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak said the cities could opt to "close the borders" to Bluffdale. As of yet, Riverton and Herriman haven't approached the sheriff's office about that action, he said.

"If they were to make a big issue of it, it may change what we respond to," Jaroscak said.

Before it comes to that, Applegarth said he and Herriman Mayor Lynn Crane plan to meet with Bluffdale Mayor Claudia Anderson to discuss their concerns.

"I can't imagine a city in the Salt Lake Valley that doesn't have 24-hour protection," Applegarth said. "I just feel Bluffdale is leaving its citizens vulnerable to inappropriate action. We just don't have the manpower to pick that up for them."

Riverton's budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year included a tax increase to put more money toward public safety. The city increased its police protection by three officers, bringing its total to 16.