High prices at the pump could hamper police patrols - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

High prices at the pump could hamper police patrols

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:20:52 GMT
    The Lee County Sheriff's Department is now working with the Albany Crime stoppers. The Lee County Sheriff's Department asked to join the Albany Crime-stoppers program. The Sheriff's Department believes
    The Lee County Sheriff's Department is now working with the Albany Crime stoppers. The Lee County Sheriff's Department asked to join the Albany Crime-stoppers program. The Sheriff's Department believes it will be a helpful tool in closing some cases.

     

  • Disaster plans for your pet

    Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:08:36 GMT
    How would you save your pets life if a tornado touched down here in South Georgia? Tuesday's tornado ripped through Oklahoma taking 24 lives, and today families are still searching for their belongings
    How would you save your pets life if a tornado touched down here in South Georgia? Tuesday's tornado ripped through Oklahoma taking 24 lives, and today families are still searching for their belongings and pets that were lost during the storm

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:43 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:43:09 GMT
    Some princesses and super heroes made a stop in Albany Wednesday to visit young patients at Phoebe Putney Memorial hospital. Spiderman, Ariel and a few others made rounds to the children on the pediatric
    Some princesses and super heroes made a stop in Albany Wednesday to visit young patients at Phoebe Putney Memorial hospital.
    •   

July 27, 2006

Valdosta - The City of Valdosta considers restricting vehicle use if prices climb any higher.  This could cause the police department to put the brakes on some patrols.

After Hurricane Katrina left the City of Valdosta's fuel reserves dangerously low, changes were made to the budget to assure it wouldn't happen again.  "Last year, to drive the same number of city miles for our fleet, cost us 400,000 dollars more to purchase the same amount of fuel," says Valdosta City Manager Larry Hanson.

With prices soaring at the pump, city officials may be forced to impose gas restrictions on city departments and vehicles.  "Even though the city's growing, the numbers of employees are growing, thus the number of vehicles are growing, we're managing our consumption.  The one thing we can't control is the price," Hanson added.

These restrictions could have the police department making changes to be more fuel efficient.  "I could park at a certain area of town, maybe an areas where we've had problems, be stationary there and not drive around and then 20 minutes later move somewhere else.  At the end of the day we're saving gas," said Captain Brian Childress of the Valdosta Police Department.

Although more walking and bike patrols would be implemented, this solution would have officers sitting in these problem areas rather than patrolling.

City officials assure that high prices at the pump won't cost residents as far as public safety is concerned.  Law Enforcement agencies will be the last departments to be affected if a gas restriction is enforced.  "We exist to serve the public, and we would not want citizens not to call needing a service from the city because of a concern about that," Hanson said.

If the police receive a call during a time of restrictions, they will never hesitate to get an officer to the scene as quickly as possible.

City officials are also asking employees to carpool when riding to the same location and are purchasing smaller, more fuel efficient cars. 

Feedback: news@walb.com?subject=fuelprices/eakin