GASTON, S.C. (AP) — A small South Carolina town has hired a police officer more than two years after dismantling its police department.
The State newspaper reported the Lexington County town of Gaston has hired a police chief after its finances improved. Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputy Pat Regalis will take over as police chief Aug. 2.
Lexington County deputies will continue to patrol when Regalis is off.
The town has set aside $96,000 to re-establish its police department. That's nearly one-fourth of the budget for the 1,500 person town about 20 miles south of Columbia.
Mayor Tony Bivens hopes to add more officers as finances improve. Gaston doesn't have property taxes and relies mostly on business fees.