Le Mars, Iowa — Many Iowa communities are struggling to find first responders to fill vacant positions, especially firefighters and police officers. Leaders in Le Mars are considering a change in residency requirements in hopes of attracting more law officers.
Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says his officers now have to live within ten miles of Le Mars Police Headquarters, and they’re looking to push that out to 35 miles.
Vande Vegte says this policy change would give potential police officers many more options for places to live.
Vande Vegte says Le Mars is facing stiff competition for potential recruits. The Le Mars City Council will hold a public hearing on the residency requirements on November 7th.
That large of a radius around Le Mars would include Sheldon as well as many towns in our area and several elsewhere. Every town in Sioux County is within 35 miles of Le Mars as the crow flies. In fact, the circle even gets into Lyon County as far as Doon. A number of towns in O’Brien County would be included, such as Paullina, Primghar, and Archer. It would go as far east as Cherokee. On the south, Sioux City is included, and so are Sergeant Bluff and Salix. A few towns in Nebraska and South Dakota are also within a 35-mile radius of Le Mars.
