The police departments of the Tri-cities will now be working together to patrol that part of Harlan County.

The inter-local agreement would merge the schedules of the Cumberland, Benham, and Lynch Police Departments making sure all areas have police patrols 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

At the Miner's Market in Lynch, Gail Gilliam makes a lot of pizzas. She closes the busy store alone, so she has to be careful.

"I've had a couple in here, and I was suspicious that I was going to be robbed," said Gilliam.

A new agreement between the three police forces will step up patrols.

"We'll have a schedule with each city's police officers and shared jurisdiction between cities," said Mike Franks, Cumberland Police Chief.

Franks said it is an option that makes sense.

"These three cities are dwindling in population," said Franks.

Benham and Lynch already shared patrols. All three departments have jurisdiction throughout Harlan County.
The agreement will take care of any legal issues.

"This agreement will clarify these responsibilities," said Franks.

"Hopefully it will make it quicker if I have someone come in that I am suspicious of," said Gilliam.

Now Gilliam can make pizzas with peace of mind.

The three districts already help each other out. This agreement would make it official.