Addyston Village Council Votes to Disband Police, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to Take Over

The Addyston Village Council has decided to disband its police department following a tight 4-3 vote Tuesday evening. The council’s move coincides with the impending shutdown of INEOS ABS, one of the village’s major employers, as reported by

FOX19

. This small community in western Hamilton County, which houses roughly 1,000 residents, will now rely on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services beginning on Friday, as confirmed by Mayor Lisa Mear.

The stark reality of downscaling enforcement was seemingly inevitable as Addyston’s police force dwindled to two officers—a police chief and a part-time officer, which Mayor Mear mentioned during the council meeting. The shuttering of INEOS ABS after a severe styrene chemical leak in September further cemented the fate of the local police department. As

The Enquirer

reports, Addyston Police Chief Jacob Tenbrink anticipated the department’s dissolution and expressed his support for the transition to county patrolling.

The incidents leading to this transition were marked by a controversy surrounding INEOS, stemming from a dangerous chemical leak that led to the evacuation of over 220 residents. This incident has embroiled the company in a series of lawsuits seeking class-action status, as asserted in a recent statement from INEOS attorneys, with details furnished by

FOX19 NOW

. The company’s plans involve closing the plant by the second quarter of 2025 and focusing resources on other facilities within North America and their global footprint.

In the wake of these events, Addyston’s governance faced the stark economic reality of sustaining a police force. Mayor Mear disclosed to

Local12

the fiscal challenges throughout the year, paralleled by difficulties in retaining officers. The financial arrangement with the county, amounting to $87,000 per annum, will encompass the transfer of equipment to the sheriff’s office and promises full policing coverage for the village.

Addyston residents, like Aletha Nortila, voiced during the council meeting that they have acknowledged the necessity for change in the face of long-standing struggles. Despite the disbandment, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has assured it is well equipped to assume the additional responsibilities. The transition follows a challenging period for the village, which now looks to rebuild its fabric of safety and community well-being under the aegis of the county’s law enforcement.

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