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State troopers OK — for now
State troopers assigned to the Area 12 Office in Warrenton, which covers Rappahannock as well, will continue to provide the services citizens have come to expect in spite of the state's budget crunch, according to 1st Sgt. Matt Hanley. But it won't be easy, he added.
“[We've heard] they think the budget [crunch] is going to be worse that what they originally thought,” Hanley said. “Every department has been asked to prepare scenarios with five, 10 and 15 percent cuts — in addition to the cuts that have already been made.”
Hanley said the Department of State Police does not plan to cut back sworn personnel or “critical resources.”
However, the agency has already eliminated basic training schools, so there will be no new troopers available anywhere in the state, Hanley noted. The good news is that the Area 12 Office is now fully staffed.
In all, 17 troopers cover Rappahannock and Fauquier counties.
“The [lack of new troopers] won't affect us unless someone transfers,” Hanley said. In that case, the vacancy would be kept open, he added.
In addition to carrying out their own duties, the state police provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies during routine and critical incidents. They also provide support during large events, such as the Gold Cup races.
If one or more troopers opt to leave the Area 12 Office, Hanley said, the lack of incoming troopers could make it more difficult to help out.
“If the Sheriff's Office has to make cuts [due to the county's projected revenue shortfall] they could look to us to fill the gaps. If people leave here and we don't have any new troopers coming in, it could make it harder for us to do that,” Hanley said.
Although there isn't much that can be cut “at an Area level,” Hanley said troopers here will do whatever they can to reduce expenses.
Any building improvements that don't have to be made due to an emergency will be put on the back burner, he said.
Troopers will continue to try to conserve fuel by turning their cars off rather than letting the engines idle and carpool to meetings and related activities whenever possible. They will also continue to follow directives pertaining to other cost-saving measures, he added.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
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