Lindon is closer to police split

LINDON — Council members and mayors from Pleasant Grove and Lindon met Monday night in further discussions of Lindon moving towards having their own public safety department.

In recent months the two cities have experienced some miscommunication over wants and responsibilities, but Monday's meeting was cordial.

With Jim Dain having served as mayor of Lindon for just two weeks, Lindon City Councilman Bruce Carpenter explained their side.

"We've got to wipe out the tension over issues from before," Carpenter said.

A preliminary decision was made for Lindon to give Pleasant Grove a timetable. Lindon council members agreed to give Pleasant Grove a date that Lindon will begin weaning away from Pleasant Grove's public safety services.

The first service Lindon will build from scratch is a police force, taking anywhere from six to 18 months. Once the police force is up and running smoothly, Lindon will work on creating their own fire and ambulance department. The last component is dispatch service, but a change might not be needed if a proposed countywide dispatch service goes forward.

Carpenter said Lindon and Pleasant Grove have been good partners in a lot of areas but said he felt Lindon has been regarded as a stepchild.

"I don't see it as a stepchild," Pleasant Grove Mayor Mike Daniels said. "I see it as a partnership."

"It isn't that Pleasant Grove is tired of Lindon or Lindon wants out — it's just time," Daniels said. "We want a win-win situation for both cities."

The Lindon Council will meet in late August or early September and will invite public input on moving forward with their own public safety services.

---

E-mail: knelson@desnews.com