Crossley hopes town receives law enforcement boost

ODESSA — Hiring a second police officer to assist Police Chief Ericka Rose is one of the top priorities this year for Mayor Bill Crossley, he told The Record-Times in an annual meeting last week.

Rose is currently the only officer in town. Former patrol officer Gordon Bentler departed his position last summer.

Crossley is concerned that only having one officer could be contributing to a perceived increase in crime in the town. But like most small towns, finding a second officer willing to work in Odessa has proven challenging.

“Obviously, one person can’t do the job 24 hours a day, seven days...