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Marfa's quiet country lifestyle and thriving art scene make this tiny west Texas town a favorite getaway.
But the city won't keep its police chief and two officers when the police department shuts down October 1.
"It's all about consolidation. What we're trying to do is run our community as efficiently as possible," said Marfa mayor, Dan Dunlap.
According to the mayor, the city will save $90,000 a year by hiring the Presidio County Sheriff's Office to replace the local police department. The sheriff's office already patrols the rest of the rugged border city.
Some residents are having doubts. They are not sure what is going to happen, or if they will be safe.
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Angela Kocherga's Border Blog
The police department will disappear, but the police chief may still have a job. That is, if he takes a position mandated by state law: the town marshal. The job is part-time, and pays $4,000 a year. So the marshal will likely spend more time back at the ranch, than protecting the streets of Marfa.
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