The high price of gasoline is forcing more deputies with the Fairfield County Sheriff's Officeto park their cruisers and walk a beat, 10TV's Jason Frazer reported on Friday.
Sheriff Dave Phalen is taking steps to try to cut the department's gas costs, includingordering deputies to not drive as fast as they normally would unless they are responding to anemergency call, and instructing them to patrol their "beats" the old-fashioned way.
"We are having our deputies park their cars 15 minutes out of every hour to walk theneighborhoods, meet and greet, talk to businesses," Phalen said.
In addition to saving gas, Phalen hopes the foot patrols will increase deputies' presence inthe community.
"Some of the people won't wave us down to give us information. With us walking around,they'll give us that information," said Deputy Paul Robberts.
Each deputy will have a specific area to walk.
The sheriff believed that each stop or step can help the department stretch its remaining gasbudget.
Some people who live in Fairfield County said they are optimistic about the change.
"Considering my old house that we used to live in just got broken into, if they were walkingaround, it might not have happened," said Mechelle Coakley.
Phalen said deputies will also use golf carts to assist with patrolling, something the officestarted a few years ago during another period of high gas prices.
If the price of gas continues to rise, Phalen said he may have to divert money from otherdepartments or consider layoffs.
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