New Williston Budget Funds More Police

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — An emergency services budget approved by city commissioners in Williston will enable the police department in the oil patch hub to hire eight more officers.

With four other new officers expected to be hired by the end of the year, the force will grow from 42 officers to 54.

Emergency Services Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk tells the Williston Herald (http://bit.ly/XgKylq ) that he expects law enforcement staff to grow steadily over the next five years.

Williston's population has doubled in size since 2010, to an estimated 30,000 people, and crime has risen along with the number of people. Cymbaluk says human trafficking, murder and drug cases are no longer rare occurrences.