disorderlyvision
03-26-2010, 03:54 PM
http://www.wgem.com/Global/story.asp?S=12198160
Macomb, IL (WGEM) -- Statewide trooper numbers would be cut from 2,000 to around 1,400. That's nearly a 30 percent cut.
The District 14 State Police headquarters covers five counties in west central Illinois. Closing that office would force surrounding districts to absorb those counties. Aside from the roadway safety, residents and agencies are worried about response times in emergencies.
Dozens of state police in addition to local law enforcement responded to the Macomb Farm King standoff in February. But major layoffs appear imminent to the Macomb state police headquarters, pulling all 32 troopers off duty.
Thinking back to the standoff, That has Farm King manager Jeff Nimrick uneasy.
"I had no idea how many were actually here until I was on the phone with the 911 operator," Nimrick said. "And when I got out of the building that day...just to see that they were surrounded. It was a real secure feeling knowing that someone was there taking care of the issue."
Nimrick is not only the manager at Farm King, but also a resident of Macomb.
"Its not only what happened that day...but the patrol they do everyday on the highways like 67," Nimrick said. "And it would be drastically reduced."
For McDonough County sheriff Rick VanBrooker it means his office would be left to pick up the slack, putting the residents and his deputies in higher danger.
"We would be going from the center of a district to the edge of a larger district. And I don't think we would have the coverage or the help that would need," VanBrooker said.
"They back us up at night, we are a rural county. We have a limited staff and we rely on them to back us up."
Even though this is the current plan under Governor Quinn's proposed budget, State Rep. Rich Myers said people should keep in mind that the budget reductions may never be approved by the legislature.
Macomb, IL (WGEM) -- Statewide trooper numbers would be cut from 2,000 to around 1,400. That's nearly a 30 percent cut.
The District 14 State Police headquarters covers five counties in west central Illinois. Closing that office would force surrounding districts to absorb those counties. Aside from the roadway safety, residents and agencies are worried about response times in emergencies.
Dozens of state police in addition to local law enforcement responded to the Macomb Farm King standoff in February. But major layoffs appear imminent to the Macomb state police headquarters, pulling all 32 troopers off duty.
Thinking back to the standoff, That has Farm King manager Jeff Nimrick uneasy.
"I had no idea how many were actually here until I was on the phone with the 911 operator," Nimrick said. "And when I got out of the building that day...just to see that they were surrounded. It was a real secure feeling knowing that someone was there taking care of the issue."
Nimrick is not only the manager at Farm King, but also a resident of Macomb.
"Its not only what happened that day...but the patrol they do everyday on the highways like 67," Nimrick said. "And it would be drastically reduced."
For McDonough County sheriff Rick VanBrooker it means his office would be left to pick up the slack, putting the residents and his deputies in higher danger.
"We would be going from the center of a district to the edge of a larger district. And I don't think we would have the coverage or the help that would need," VanBrooker said.
"They back us up at night, we are a rural county. We have a limited staff and we rely on them to back us up."
Even though this is the current plan under Governor Quinn's proposed budget, State Rep. Rich Myers said people should keep in mind that the budget reductions may never be approved by the legislature.