Foley Hires Security Guards to Patrol City

FOLEY - Foley will be the first Minnesota city to be patrolled by security guards, not police officers.

The city council has voted to sign a six month contract with the private security firm General Security Services.

Earlier this year they voted to end their contract for police protection with the Benton County Sheriff's Department, deputies have been patrolling the city since 2003.

Interim City Administrator Sarah Brunn says the security guards will be responsible for general ordinance enforcement.

Brunn says the security guards will not be able to investigate crimes or make traffic stops.  Residents will still need to call 911 in case of an emergency.

The security firm is charging the city about $16,000 a month for 24 hour a day service.  Benton County was charging the city about $24,000 a month for 17 hours of protection.  Cuts in state aid and tighter budgets were the main factor in making the switch.

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