MASON/HARTFORD, WV (WOWK) – Two West Virginia towns made history Monday in Mason County.

The towns of Mason and Hartford City entered into an “intergovernmental agreement,” meaning Hartford will now pay Mason for police services, giving Mason’s police force jurisdiction in both communities. The towns made the agreement official Monday with a signing at the Mason Town Hall.

“I think we made history today bringing two towns together to make the betterment of two communities. And it’s really exciting to see that Mason Metro came to life, and it wouldn’t be done without the mayors and councils of both towns, you know, coming together for the better of the towns,” said Mason Metro Police Chief Colton McKinney.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News

McKinney also says he hopes Mason and Hartford can be an example for other communities in West Virginia who may want to consider a similar option for their own police forces.

“I know there’s a lot of small towns around the state that are struggling with police forces and stuff, and we’re hoping that they’re able to kind of watch us and see if they can be able to come together to be able to strengthen their police force to have better protection of their communities,” McKinney said.

This agreement also creates the first metro police department in the state as the Mason Police Department will now be referred to as the “Mason Metro Police Department.”

“Small town police departments, they really are – if you talk to the sheriff’s departments, state police – They really help prevent so many things and just being able to get up there to provide some safety, some security to the residents of Hartford that need it,” said Mason Mayor Kristopher Clark. “It’s a big deal, and I’m proud of all the departments and the towns for coming together on this.”

The decision comes after years of deliberation, but Hartford has been without a police force since last fall when their former mayor and long-time police chief Samuel Anderson passed away.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News.