Virginia state funding cuts has law enforcement concerned

By: Bill Christian | 11 Connects - WJHL TV
Published: January 21, 2010

Sheriff Fred Newman with the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff's office said on Wednesday that state budget cuts could force him to lay off about 21 employees including some deputies.
"In my 27years in law enforcement as a Virginia State Trooper or working in the sheriff's department or as sheriff I have never seen the dramatic cuts that we are facing at this time," said Newman.
He said state leaders could cut as much as $644,000 dollars from the departments annual funding. Newman said that money is used mostly to pay the salaries of deputies and other employees.
Delegate Joe Johnson from the 4th district said he understands the concern that Newman and other law enforcement have about the possible cuts.
"We are all concerned that the revenues have not been up to the projection and because of that the funds are not available to send back to the localities and it places a great burden or hardship on the local people to come up with additional money or cut the services," said Delegate Joe Johnson.
Another concern for Newman is the idea of taking deputies off the streets of Washington County.
“The sad part about it is the people who are really going to suffer are going to be the citizens of our county, plain and simple," Newman said.
State legislators could vote on a budget sometime in March.

Virginia state funding cuts has law enforcement concerned

Virginia Budget Cuts Could Force Sheriff's Department To Cut Jobs. (Added: January 21, 2010)

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