LAKESIDE — Deputy Scott Moore made his presence known in Lakeside quickly. He won a chili cooking contest. Some residents aren’t too happy about it. They want a rematch.

Moore is the Coos County sheriff’s deputy who has been patrolling the city 40 hours a week since October. He, too, is looking forward to a rematch, but he might not be there for the next competition. The deal between the city of Lakeside and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office is paid only through June 30. The city needs to raise $64,000 to keep Moore patrolling town after July 1.

“I’ve come to care about this community and made myself a part of this community,” he said.

Moore said he was a little worried about how he would be received at first.

“People love to see firemen coming, but they don’t necessarily like to see cops,” he said.

His trepidation evaporated quickly. In fact, he’s having fun.

Moore, 44, is tall and strikes an imposing figure, with a deep voice to match, but he’s also quick to smile and joke around. Having served almost 15 years as an officer in Coos County, Moore knows heavy-handed tactics aren’t the way to go in a small town. Especially when he is working with the same people day in and day out.

“You don’t have to come in here with a sledgehammer,” he said.

He hasn’t had to. Just being in town makes a noticeable impact. Mayor Orville Nelson said the months Moore has been there he has changed the environment. Lakeside had a problem with thefts and people driving too fast, problems that have decreased in the months since he’s been patrolling.

“It’s just a whole different city with an officer than without an officer,” Nelson said.

City officials are looking for grants to keep Moore in town and have formed a committee to explore long-term options. City Recorder Charlie Hill started filling out grant applications last week. Among the city’s longer term options is asking the citizens to pay to support law enforcement. Nelson said that would be a last resort and the city would go that route only if leaders perceived strong voter support.

“We don’t want to do something they don’t want,” he said.

What many townsfolk do want is Moore to stay. Sandy Thayer, a member of the Lakeside Citizen Patrol, said an officer who takes the time to get to know people in the community deters crime.

“This is something we’ve begged for years,” Thayer said. “It’s just a very welcome sight to have a police officer in Lakeside.”

Previously, Lakeside had an arrangement with the sheriff’s office for 16 hours of patrol a week. On most calls, deputies drove in from other areas of the county. In more than just a few incidents Moore can recall, being close by prevented crimes from escalating.

The deputy said he needs a few more months on patrol before he can measure the impact of his presence in Lakeside.

“Let’s make a comparison then and ask ‘Have we made a difference?” he said. “I think the answer will be yes.”