PALM BEACH SHORES, Fla. — There is a big change Friday for a small town in Palm Beach County.
The town of Palm Beach Shores Police Department will merge with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioners voted unanimously for the change, although some residents didn't support the decision. Some say they are worried about losing their small town feel with the sheriff’s office coming in.
Today- @PBCountySheriff merges with @PalmBeachShores Police. 11 officers will become deputies, move will save town half a million dollars. Swearing in tonight. @WPTV @FOX29WFLX pic.twitter.com/7wcbONILhB
— Stephanie Susskind (@StephanieWPTV) November 1, 2019
However, the mayor says it is all about the bottom line. The merger is expected to save the town about $500,000 a year.
The 11 officers employed by the Palm Beach Shores Police Department will keep their jobs, becoming deputies and receiving a pay raise.
A sign inside the town limits says a PBSO swearing-in ceremony will happen at 5 p.m. at the community center.
South Palm Beach also merged with PBSO last month, and the sheriff’s office began patrolling Lake Worth more than 10 years ago. The Greenacres Police Department merged with the sheriff's office in 2016.