ST. LOUIS COUNTY • St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch said today that his officers have begun patrolling Dellwood streets on a temporary basis until Dellwood officials resolve a controversial plan to dissolve the city's police force.

In a letter today to Dellwood Mayor Loretta Johnson, Fitch said county officers would enforce state laws within Dellwood until city officials resolve staffing problems that have plagued the city department for weeks.

Dellwood officials have been at an impasse about whether to dissolve their police department and sign a contract with the county for services on an ongoing basis.

Johnson said Dellwood is being hurt by aldermen who are refusing to show up to meetings in a thus-far successful attempt to block a vote on a county takeover of policing there.

She requested help from Fitch in a letter on Monday, saying the Dellwood department was "dwindling" and was down to eight officers from 15. She said she was concerned about the safety of citizens and officers.

"Our city has become unable to conduct normal business and our citizens will suffer without (St. Louis County police) assistance," Johnson wrote.

Dellwood City Administrator Frank Myers said four of Dellwood's officers left in early December to join the ranks of the St. Louis County police force.

Myers said two other Dellwood officers are "in the process" of finding jobs with St. Louis County police, and three more, including Police Chief Fred Haunold, have been placed on paid leave. The reason for the leaves wasn't clear.

Fitch told Johnson that county officers would help Dellwood officers with calls until the city hires additional officers or until the city contracts with an outside agency — possibly Fitch's department — for police service.

St. Louis County officers began responding to calls early this morning. For now, the county is not charging the city for police service. County officers will not enforce city ordinances.

The city began talking with the county police department in November about taking over patrols. Dellwood's Monday night board meeting was canceled after four aldermen refused to attend. It was the fifth board meeting canceled since early December because the eight-member council has failed to muster a quorum.