Alexander County Sheriff gets help with patrol cars

Geez, never heard of police cars being repossessed! Things ARE getting bad!

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One day after the Alexander County Sheriff’s Department had five patrol cars repossessed, it received help from Governor Pat Quinn’s office and another sheriff’s department in another state.

Sheriff David Barkett traveled to Springfield yesterday to secure the aide.

“The governor and staff graciously gave up a SUV and gave that to Alexander County Sheriff’s Department to help with patrol and response efforts,” Barkett said.

However, the county is still in debt, owing more than $55,000 in loans for the patrol cars and more than $80,000 to the Tri-County Detention Center for holding prisoners.

“Hopefully we can find some funds,” said Illinois Rep. Brandon Phelps.  ”I’m going to meet with the county commissioners soon. Why just one department? So there’s something there we want to look into.”

Recent cutbacks have left only five deputies in the field, requiring the Illinois State Police to help patrol the county.

Barkett says the ISP presence has been a god send, but the lack of county officers stretches the ISP thin.

“There’s one commissioner who said we’ll just get the ISP to help. Well, they can’t afford it either. So what we’re doing is putting constituents and taxpayers in Alexander County in jeopardy,” said Phelps.

“Obviously, we can’t handle the day to day non-emergency type calls for service because we cover six additional counties,” added ISP Captain Harry Masse

But Captain Masse says his office will do whatever it can to assist Barkett.

“Our special enforcement team has also been working details in the Cairo area just to maintain visibility and help aleviate concerns and fears citizens may have,” Masse said.

As for Barkett, he says his office will continue to respond to 911 calls and patrol the county despite cuts.

“I’m not here to let the people down,” he said.

But for now, he’ll have to rely on help outside the Alexander County Sheriff’s Department.

Some of that help may be coming from Florida.  CBS News is reporting that the St Lucie County, Florida sheriff’s department is going to give Alexander County several cars.

It’s not clear when those cars will arrive but it will be in the next several days.

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