CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The tiny Webster County town of Camden on Gauley hasn't had a police force in more than 25 years -- but that's about to change. 

Mayor Nancy Cowger said she has received a federal grant to re-establish a police presence in the area.

Camden on Gauley, a town of fewer than 200 people located along the Nicholas and Webster County border, received $22,500 for the purchase of a police cruiser, Cowger said.

During the past few decades, the town has relied on the Sheriff's Department and State Police for help.

It has been difficult for police to reach Camden on Gauley because of a 30-minute drive between the county headquarters and the town, said Edna Martin, the city's recorder.

"It takes them a while to get here and there have been issues when they couldn't get here," Martin said. "The people have to have the security of knowing someone will get to them in a 10-minute time frame."

A police force would encourage new businesses to open in the area because of the added security, Cowger said.

"All communities need that, but in the past we have not been able to afford one," she said. "Our community has dwindled down in the last few years..."

She said she hopes to employ one part-time police officer at first and then increase the force to at least three full-time officers over the years.

Martin said there are no businesses located in the city, only vacant buildings and plenty of opportunity.

"The city sits on the Gauley River, we live at the tip of Monongahela [National] Forest so we have lots of natural resources," Martin said. "Hopefully, we can get some businesses interested in coming in here to the empty store fronts, to rejuvenate the town."

With the first goal of getting a police force on the horizon, more projects can be completed, she said, such as trash cleanup efforts, new sidewalks and the establishment of a community center.

 "This is the biggest need we have -- to get this police department -- and this car is the first step," she said.

Cowger is trying to secure $7,500 more through additional grants to cover the cruiser's $30,000 price.

The town expects to receive the cruiser by the end of August.

Reach Travis Crum at travis.c...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5100.