Update:Calhoun, Tenn. Shuts Down Police Dept.

The small East Tennessee city of Calhoun has laid off all three of its police officers.        Calhoun Mayor Faye Parks said the officers were let go this week because there wasn't enough money to pay them. They were already off the job when Parks made her announcement to the city commission meeting Monday.        Parks - who was elected to office in 2010 - noted the McMinn County city of about 500 residents has a small tax base, no reserve fund and no capital outlay fund.        The news didn't come as a surprise to those in law enforcement. McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said, "Within the past month or so we were notified, of course the chief is a friend of mine, and he was letting me know that the possibility was there. They laid off two officers and they were down to just the chief working during the day mostly and we were covering at night."Now, the Sheriff's Department will also patrol during the day and respond to 911 calls. In addition to patrolling, the county will pick up other duties. Sheriff Guy said, "We're trying to work some things out with the city as far as covering their city meetings and their city court that's still ongoing to hear cases."The reaction in the small town of about 500 people in southern McMinn County was mixed. Junior Eaves lives right next to the department. He's been at the same residence since 1937. Eaves said, "It seems to me we're getting by just as good without them as we did with them."But many others feel a strong need for their three officers. It's a place where neighbors know each other. Rachel Gregory has lived in this area all of her life. She has elementary school age children.And with the lack of a police department, her biggest concern  is speeding in front of her house. Gregory said, "I think it's ridiculous. We need people here because people drive up and down the roads, we've got kids here. And, there's just a lot that goes on here, you know."Meanwhile, Eaves continued whittling, saving the shavings for his garden. He's hoping the good nature of Calhoun's people will outweigh the lack of a police department. He said, "There ain't nobody that bothers nothing in Calhoun. I got the finest neighbors in the world here."Parks said the police department didn't take in enough money to offset officers' salaries, but she also noted the state doesn't like city police operating off fines. She didn't know if the officers would eventually be rehired.Sheriff Guy said his department will continue to patrol as long as necessary.(The Associated Press contributed information to this article.)