The new city of Nowthen has no police department and no contact for public safety with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office. That concerns the sheriff. He lives there.

"Morally, we're obligated to provide public safety for Nowthen," said Sheriff Bruce Andersohn. "But technically, Nowthen is siphoning [deputies'] manpower that other communities are paying for."

The Sheriff's Office was obligated to provide protection for Burns Township, as it has for all townships within the county. But when Burns Township became the city of Nowthen last summer, its former agreement with the Sheriff's Office changed just as drastically.

The Sheriff's Office provides public safety for seven municipalities. But Linwood Township -- the only remaining township in the county -- is the only one to get off free.

"We can't start our own police department right now," said Nowthen Mayor Bill Schulz. That would cost between $180,000 and $200,000, Schulz said.

Besides, Nowthen has a more pressing issue: Last week, the city of more than 4,300 people sent to the City Council an ordinance that would approve off-sale liquor licenses. The council will vote Nov. 10.

"I suppose if we do that, then we'll have to think about getting more police protection," Schulz said.

Paying the Sheriff's Office to patrol the area -- one deputy for eight hours a day, five days per week -- would cost about $160,000, Andersohn said.

Ham Lake Mayor Paul Meunier thinks investing in the sheriff's department is a smart investment -- and important enough that he's argued with his city council about increasing the number of hours deputies work in his city.

Andover is another city that has discussed increasing coverage with the Sheriff's Office.

The risk of having no deputies patrol Nowthen is waiting for someone to arrive when trouble erupts. Nowthen is relatively close to the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office in Elk River. That means either Anoka County's Bruce Andersohn or Sherburne County's Bruce Anderson -- no relation, but confusing nonetheless -- might respond to an emergency.

Would help arrive in time?

"This is something we need to talk about," Schulz said. "Maybe next year."

Andersohn, ever the diplomat and goodwill ambassador for his hometown, said, yes, his deputies will respond immediately to any calls from Nowthen.

"But it sure would be comforting for the people living in Nowthen to know we have someone right there," he said.

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419