Out of 91 responses in a poll on the Maries County Advocate’s Facebook page, 70.3 percent were unhappy with police coverage in Belle, and 80.2 percent believe the city needs 24-hour coverage.

The poll was prompted by readers’ comments about the Oct. 8 Belle Board of Aldermen meeting on the newspaper’s Facebook page. In an effort to share citizen concerns with the city officials and marshal while having questions answered, we posted a survey that would allow takers to remain anonymous.

The poll consisted of three yes or no questions and four question/answer formats. Of those who answered:

62.6 percent or 55 of the 91 people polled live within the Belle city limits; 27.5 percent  or 26 of the 91 people polled live within a few miles surrounding Belle; and 9.9 percent or eight of the 91 people polled were other.

29.7 percent were happy with police coverage in the city limits.

8.8 percent said Belle does not need 24-hour coverage; and 11 percent were unsure.

A total of 72 people responded to “What do you think the marshal can do to improve police coverage in Belle?”

Popular answers included:

“He can do his part to make sure we have coverage twenty-four/seven by actually patrolling himself.”

“Be available or have officers available, maybe part-time on-call deputies for back-up requests.”

“Hire more efficient officers. Go out unannounced to the officers on patrol to check on them and our town. Take leadership classes and business classes.”

“Get out early when the night shift gets off. Or ask the county sheriff to help fill some day time gaps so the Belle police could cover the rest of the night. We pay county taxes also.”

“Communicate. Work with all agencies and/or members of city boards in a positive way. Patrol. You can be tough and still be liked. Crack down on the night time crimes that are going on.”

A total of 74 people responded to the question, “What do you think the mayor and board of aldermen can do to improve the police coverage in Belle?”

“Ensure the police have everything they need to operate properly; funds for payroll and reliable vehicles.”

“Have the police chief be an appointed position instead of elected.”

“Contract with Sheriff.”

“Work with the police and take some of the blame for the past. They all need leadership classes.”

“Communicate with the Marshal professionally.”

A total of 58 persons responded to the question, “If you have ever called the police, what was their response time?”

“Haven’t had to call the police.”

“Yes. The marshal responded rather quickly and resolved the issue promptly and professionally.”

“The marshal never answered and Officer Coborn was there within minutes.”

“Depends on the issue and who was on duty.if (the) officer didn’t think it was a big deal they wouldn’t show up.”

“Anywhere from five minutes to not showing up at all.”

“Considering the town is only 1.34 square miles, a lot longer than it should have been.”

“The Belle Motel called and the Police, Paramedics and Fire Department were there within minutes!”

A total of 60 persons responded to the question, “Do you have any comments about the police coverage in Belle?”

“There has been so much violence, stealing, distraction we have to do something! Our town is falling apart and all these thieves need to be stopped!”

“Rampant drug use in small Belle makes it hard. Sometimes we have to clean up our own messes.”

“I hear the citizens complaining all the time about the police not doing their jobs. They just need a police presence in town and crime would go down.”

“It’s a good thing for the teenagers to have a positive connection to the officers but no so much that they are buddies and the laws are not enforced. The law applies to everyone. Not just certain citizens because of their appearance, financial status, or status on a city board. If you are in the wrong, you are in the wrong.”

“Received a ticket for rolling the stop sign at five a.m. in (the) morning with nothing coming. So I guess they are on the job.”