The Morning News: News : County Police Departments Eye Increasing Fuel Cost

County Police Departments Eye Increasing Fuel Cost

Fayetteville, Springdale, Sheriff Maintaining Normal Patrols

Last updated Friday, April 25, 2008 8:10 PM CDT in News

By Bob Caudle
The Morning News

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SPRINGDALE - Increasing fuel costs have not put the damper on police patrols in Washington County yet, but the time may be approaching.

Officials with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Fayetteville and Springdale police departments say the budgets are intact - so far.

If gasoline keeps climbing, police may be forced to make changes in the way they do their jobs.

"We're doing good right now," said Jay Cantrell, chief deputy with the Washington County Sheriff's Department. "But if gas goes to $4 per gallon, we may not be doing so good."

Cantrell said the sheriff's administration looked at the department's budget last week and the numbers look "pretty good."

"We budgeted gas at $3.50 a gallon," Cantrell said. "We don't have to pay the 18-cent per gallon federal excise tax, plus we get a discount for buying wholesale."

Muncipalities aren't required to pay the 18-cent per gallon federal tax.

"This year, we're right about where we should be," said Sgt. Shannon Gabbard, public information officer for the Fayetteville Police Department. "Every month our administration reviews our budget overall to see how we're doing. We've averaged out about on target."

Gasoline prices haven't affected Fayetteville's patrols, Gabbard said.

"Last year, there was a directive issued to not be foolish with fuel," Gabbard said. "What that meant was, don't leave your car running when you don't have to. There was no cutback on patrols or limits on mileage. It was just to make sure we are good stewards with the fuel we have to use."

Likewise, the Springdale Police Department has not had to cut back through the first quarter of the year, according to Capt. Ron Hritz, head of the service division.

"So far, through the first two months of the year, we've used 18 percent of our fuel budget," Hritz said. "We budgeted $268,000 for fuel for the entire year. Going by what we used last year, we're right on target for fuel that costs $3.21 per gallon. That's about right for our tax break."

Hritz said while fuel costs are under control the maintenance costs have been eating at the budget.

"We've already spent one-half of our maintenance budget for the year, and most of that's just from driving old cars," Hritz said. "We have been replacing fuel and air filters more often - anything we can do to get a few more miles per gallon."

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Reader Comments (14 comment(s))

The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

Smoking Gun wrote on Apr 25, 2008 10:37 PM:

" Why are my hard earned tax dollars paying for these people to joy ride. I understand patroling but when they're off duty park it. I'm sick and tired of seeing all these cops driving around in civ. clothes driving around doing erands. Cut some costs and spare the little guy. This is just stupid! "

question authority wrote on Apr 26, 2008 12:47 AM:

" I, on the other hand, appreciate the fact that the people I am personally paying with my tax dollars to patrol are actually doing what they are paid to do - discourage CRIMINALS by being a visible presence. Without our local law enforcement personnel on the watch (whether on duty or not), we would all be at the mercy of the lawless. "

Boz wrote on Apr 26, 2008 6:27 AM:

" Smoking gun, believe it or not cops are on duty 24/7 365. Even if they are in "street clothes" they have to respond to a call that they are close to and also conduct traffic stops if they see a violation. If not you'd be complaining about seeing an Officer in "civ. clothes" not doing his job. If you were going to committ a robbery and a police car pulled into the bank would you do it? So little errands can prevent major crimes. I've heard people complain that there is not an Officer where you need them, that's because "on duty" there may only be two or twelve depending on the size, but "little errands" sure makes it look like there's more on duty. "

jopa wrote on Apr 26, 2008 7:11 AM:

" I really doubt that they are going to respond with their kid in the car with a carrier in the back seat going to ll practice "

ozarks wrote on Apr 26, 2008 7:30 AM:

" I agree jopa, I see cops driving the kidos to school and picking them up, taking the wife to to the market, driving the (public owned) vehicle to their second job and on and on. This is abuse. Others can call it what they like. I am sick and tired of the 24/7 bologna. How about our military? 24/7 too. They should drive their hummers and tanks around with the kiddo's around just to be ready. I am 24/7 too. If I were coaugh using a company car for anything but business, It would be job hunting time. It is always something with tax payers money and the abuses that come with that. Let's talk about the big gas burners ALL the police buy. I have said for years that is a joke. Patrole cars don't have to corvertte's of 4x4 Dodges. So, please stop with we are helping the voyers by doing your business with our (the tax payers) cars. Time to go to work (in your car) pick up a unit at the station and check it in at the end of the day. And it doesn't stop there. I apprecaite the cops but some do take advantage and then tell us we are helping! Not buy that stuff any more. "

ozarks wrote on Apr 26, 2008 7:37 AM:

" If all that work for the public or are eleceted, this are tough on us working families that don't have the beifits of free coffee or soda, 1/2 price burgers, free fuel, and able to go to work and gather the gang and go have breakfast after checking in. The price of fuel, food, taxes and really making this strain for us and we wnat to know how you are going to save and cut back too. I think the gravey train is over for all public officials. "

arkansas2u wrote on Apr 26, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Don't tell me that they don't stop and help others when they are on duty. I know they do. When I was in a bad traffic accident when I was pregnant there was an officer in the line of cars behind me that called it on his radio and ran up to help me and my 3 year old. From what I was later told from my husband, the officer was off duty and his family WAS in the car but the officers wife was in there with them. He not only helped me but started to direct traffic in his plain clothes right after that. All of this on his family's, time I am sure.
My baby and I were alright, thankfully, and I believe it was because that officer had the ambulance there quickly and was a great help. All of this happened on 71 Business in front of what used to be Lonestar Steakhouse.
I just am upset I guess because unless you have been in a situation like I was in you have no idea how thankful you would be that the police officer is there with his radio to call for backup even if he is just 'running errands with his kids in the car.' He can do a lot more on his radio than you or I can do on a cell phone calling 911 and having to explain everything.
"

ralphy mendez wrote on Apr 26, 2008 2:32 PM:

" Ozark- If all of these "perks" are so wonderful, why don't you apply so you can have such a great job? Because the job doesn't pay what it should, there are other benefits that go along with it. One of those benefits happens to be take home vehicles for some cops. Some of you people need to get life. "

proud to teach wrote on Apr 27, 2008 12:10 PM:

" My husband has a take home car, which he uses to drive to and from shift. IF by chance his shift begins or ends when our child's school day begins or ends, yes, he will do the driving. It's on the way and a few precious minutes for father/child. It is a perk, when you consider the salary of police officers. The joke at our house is that I teach so he can afford to cop!
In a career that can be very dangerous and time consuming (yes, my husband does stop, but not if we are with him ...family's safety if 1st! and we don't go as a family in the patrol car) Just because shift is over, doesn't mean they just clock out if they are working an accident or call. They stay, do the paperwork, perhaps book a prisoner, take them to jail, etc. It isn't like having a regular old company car.
Give 'em a break. They are there to take care of us. In spite of what Fergie says, protecting citizens are what most police officers are all about! "

grizzley wrote on Apr 27, 2008 11:44 PM:

" #1 If the pay is so poor and the hours are so long, get a new job.

#2 If the cops with the take home cars are on duty 24/7, why do they have parties that include alcohol at the same residence where their cop car is sitting? Please tell me, after drinking, they aren't going to "respond"?

#3 If these cops are driving their loved ones around and have an accident, who pays the medical bills for the beloved family members? Or is this yet another "perk" that the citizens pay for?

Etc. etc. etc.....

TO: arkansas2u - How did his COP CAR help you? I think it was his radio he had, which all cops have radios that are portable. He didn't need a take home car to help you; just his portable take home radio.
"

blueboy wrote on Apr 28, 2008 7:36 PM:

" Police officers are usually poorly paid, work poor hours, and have thankless jobs for the most part. Don't get me wrong, alot of people do the same. In my opinion taking the job is more of a "calling," than simply choosing a career. Police officers for the most part take the job because they enjoy helping people. This is not a steadfast rule, there are always exceptions. I am, however, proud to see in todays society that rogue or renegade cops are held accountable for thier actions.
Anyway, I said all that to say this. Most departments have in the past encouraged officers to drive patrol vehicles off duty for visibility and community relations. If the community is able to see the officer as a human and not a badge they are more likely to interact with that officer at all times. I can say, without a doubt if home storage vehicles are taken away, 99% of all officers will continue to do the same job they have for years. No one is going to throw a "fit," or quit thier job simply because they cannot store thier vehicle at home. No further than most officers drive, it is really not saving a truly considerable amount in fuel costs either way. "

shoutitout2 wrote on Apr 30, 2008 1:42 AM:

" To "grizzley" bear...I believe someone here probably has a bad crime record and too much time on his hands worrying about how much gas the police use. Next time you have a loved one dying, someone breaks in your house, etc. make sure you request them to send someone over on a bike so as not to waste precious gas on you. Anger of the gas prices shouldn't be aimed at our police officers and their integrity! Yes, let's have them all get new jobs so we can all live in peace! Ridiculous! "

spun gold wrote on May 1, 2008 6:01 PM:

" For years I have discussed this very issue with public officials to no avail. They feel certain that this is the right thing to do. I feel equally certain that we the tax paying citizens are being ripped off big time. I truly resent it when they drive their police car, wear the uniform paid for by tax payers and work a second job being a 'rent a cop' to direct traffic for a mega church, or patrol the new Promenade mall, or work at the skating rink. If I took office supplies from my job and used them for a second job I would be fired in a heart beat, I think most businesses would not allow this ever. "

sovereignty wrote on May 1, 2008 7:34 PM:

" we have some serious issues in this community, like the flood of illegal aliens and the crime they bring with them and you people are worried about what? what police dept's need to do is use the telephone reporting system more. people want to see a real live cop when they call about some of the stupidest stuff and why, it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy and safe. grow up. the vast majority of reported incidents could be done via the tele thus allowing the patrolling cops time to focus on actual law enforcement. "

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