The following is a press release that was sent to the Times-News from Sheriff David A. Goad:

On Monday, April 7, 2008 I was personally informed that my budget was “frozen” according to Mr. David Eberly, Acting County Administrator, due to the expenditures of overtime, funds which are consistently utilized to cover manpower shortages and court appearances by the deputies. Therefore, this office could not spend additional funds except normal salaries and operating expenses, with overtime only permitted during an emergency.

Faced with these circumstances my administrative staff and I examined all aspects of operation and the funds which remain until June 30, 2008. Upon completing this review it is apparent that a reduction in services is the only method to cutting costs.

As a result, effective Monday, April 14, 2008, this office will schedule deputies to work 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 12 midnight and eliminate the 12 midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift. While this will certainly reduce the amount of overtime spent it will not stop it and such paid compensation will also be used on an emergency basis.

Canceling services is a tough decision to make given societal demands and it saddens me to eliminate police coverage by this office. Of course, the absence of funding does not provide an alternative since my budget accounts were frozen because of overtime costs according to the County.

The reduction in police services by the elimination of our 12 midnight to 8 am shift will affect and reduce the funding received from State Aid for police protection as well; a source of over $250,000 per year in revenue.

In the era of increased criminal activity and the volume of illicit drugs flowing in and out of this county I will continue to provide staffing for the C3I Criminal and Narcotic Units. I believe it’s imperative to maintain the continuity and cooperation of these units in our fight against drugs and the apprehension of our criminal element. However, in the event additional funding cuts are received these deputies will also be reassigned back to the patrol division.

Times have changed and the office has remained stagnant with only 20 deputies since the 1980’s. The calls for service have increased with an average of over 1,000 calls per month and in the last few years also involve more serious crimes. Beginning this year, we unfortunately lost our deputy providing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in our schools. This position was not refilled due to the shortage of staff thus leaving a gap in this vital training to our children.

Our service of civil process and arrest warrants, have increased without the ability to adequately provide immediate service and we have inherited prisoner extraditions, additional peace orders, more emergency petitions, etc. While the demand for services has grown, this office has not, and we now see the impending danger of losing our ability to provide you, the citizens of Allegany County, with adequate law enforcement services.

The new budget proposal submitted to the county contains a request for six new deputies and appropriate overtime funding in the amount of $125,000 for the next year. It is my sincere hope that this is only a temporary situation and depends on the funding of my budget for next year as to its length. Hopefully adequate financial support will be provided by the County within the next fiscal budget beginning July 1, 2008. This will permit us to again reopen the 12 midnight to 8:00 am shift and staff this office year round on a 24 hour, seven days a week basis.

Sincerely,
David A. Goad
Sheriff