BEL-NOR, Mo. — The City of Bel-Nor is dissolving its police department at the end of the month, according to a letter posted Friday night on the city's website.
The letter attributed the closure to "workforce shortages and budgetary issues."
"With the ever-increasing costs of insurance, vehicles and providing competitive wages and benefits, our budget cannot keep up," the city said. "The city will contract with another agency for law enforcement services."
Since November 2022, Bel-Nor, a city of roughly 1,300 people in north St. Louis County, has had a mutual aid agreement with nearby St. John. According to the letter, St. John will continue responding to emergency calls after April 25, until the city makes a permanent arrangement.
"The process of finding a good match for our residents to feel comfortable with began immediately upon receiving notice that some of our officers had been offered positions at other agencies and intended to tender their resignations," the city said.
The city said its decision was "heart-wrenching" and it "thank(ed) each officer for loyal service to the residents of Bel-Nor."
The city said residents with questions could call Mayor Bill Hook at 314-705-2735 or email mayor@cityofbelnor.org.
Last month, Velda City, a small municipality in north St. Louis County, announced it no longer had a police department after all of its officers resigned, citing issues with the mayor and board of aldermen. Velda City police provided services to nearby Flordell Hills.
Since the department's closure, Pagedale police have responded to calls in both municipalities.
