May 28, 2008
High Gas Prices Force Cops to Walk the Beat More
NEWBERRY, SC – With gasoline climbing toward $4 a gallon, police officers around the country are losing the right to take their patrol cars home and are being forced to double up in cruisers and walk the beat more, according to the Associated Press.
The gas crunch could also put an end to the way officers leave their engines running when they get out to investigate something.
In Newberry, Chief Jackie Swindler is telling his officers to turn off the ignition whenever they are stopped for more than a minute or so, and to get out and walk around more.
In Grainger County, Tenn., Sheriff James Harville planned for gas prices of $2.22 a gallon when he drew up his budget last year. He has since redrawn the patrol map for the two officers who work each shift, splitting his county in half. He now puts one officer in each half and makes them responsible for all calls in their area.
When shifts overlap in Apple Valley, Minn., officers pair up and supervisors send those cruisers to domestic disputes, burglar alarms, and other calls that would usually require two officers to respond separately. Officers also have been asked to turn off their engines whenever possible.
The Georgia State Patrol has asked troopers to reduce the amount of time spent driving by 25 percent.
In Evansville, Ind., some officers will lose their take-home cars and others will have to pay more for the privilege. A law will soon take in effect for those living within city limits will pay $25 every two weeks and those in the surrounding county will pay $35. Both groups previously paid $10. Eleven workers living outside the county will no longer get take-home police cars.