Measure S, Parlier public safety tax, fails

PARLIER, Calif. (KFSN) -- A public safety tax to fund police and fire failed by just a few votes in Parlier.

Just one month ago the Corral Caf had this storefront window smashed in. "Honestly I don't feel safe walking home late at night," said Briana Calleres, Corral Cafe waitress.

It's a daily struggle for people like Calleres who live and work in Parlier -- which could explain why more than 450 people voted in support of Measure S, a tax to fund the local police and fire departments.

"We really got a lot of support on that. Just by a small margin it fell short so we're pretty comfortable looking ahead for November," said David Cerda, Parlier Police Chief."

The measure fell short by a couple dozen votes according to Police Chief Cerda. He says the city is likely to modify the public safety tax and put it on the November ballot.

Before Parlier had a police department, the Fresno County Sheriff's office had a contract with Parlier -- something Sheriff Margaret Mims shows interest in.

"We would negotiate with the city on what their priorities for law enforcement were. And along with the deputies working there they get full service from the Sheriff's office including all investigations," said Sheriff Mims.

Cerda says outsourcing is a last resort option for the city and says they're taking steps to keep the police department in place. "Not to say that the Sheriff's wouldn't provide an excellent service but having your own police department would be an ideal situation for any community."

Mims says for two 24 hour deputies it would cost the city $1.7 million for the first year. The fire department is a run on a volunteer basis so there's no threat to the city losing fire protection services.