Nearly every community in Iowa is facing financial woes. With the high price of gas, more unfunded mandates and the growing needs of its citizenry, small towns especially are having to pinch pennies in order to keep a balanced budget.

But at what cost do you forego police protection?

It’s a struggle for the residents in Hedrick, who haven’t had much luck with past local protection and perhaps, more importantly, the costs involved with hiring a local officer to do the work.

But the recent spate of vandalism, including several thousands dollars worth of slashed tires, and several four-wheelers tearing through town, should be reason enough for the Hedrick City Council to once again pursue local police protection.

Currently, the town relies on the Iowa State Patrol and the Keokuk County Sheriff’s office for protection.

But that clearly isn’t enough, especially if something should happen while troopers and sheriff’s deputies are elsewhere in the county.

Hedrick, albeit small with 800 residents, is too big not to have its own police protection.

The community sits along Highway 149, a well-traveled and sometimes busy stretch of roadway. The lack of a police presence means criminals can easily slip in and out.

There’s no question that protecting its citizens is expensive. Ask any community about the costs involved with hiring and training police officers.

But the greater cost may very well be not having someone to watch over the community, especially when the lights are off.

And if this argument is really just a financial issue, Hedrick officials must examine how much money could be saved, either by its citizens, or in liability costs.

Having a qualified officer may also deter some from getting into trouble in the first place, saving time, money and a few headaches. And while just one officer cannot be on the job 24 hours a day, it’s the first step in alleviating some of the woes the community has suffered in the recent past.

Hedrick may be eligible in acquiring grant money that would help pay for a police officer. We would encourage the mayor and council to look at every opportunity available to seek out funds to help pay for qualified law enforcement.

The community may also be able to hire a couple of reserve officers that could fill in when the full-time police officer is unavailable.

And Hedrick’s citizens must be vigilant in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and banding together in quelling criminal activity.