Police, sheriff’s departments strained by high gas prices

Law enforcement budgets didn’t plan for $4 gas when they were written By LAWRENCE SUSSMAN lsussman@journalsentinel.com The high price of gasoline is straining the budgets of police and sheriffs’ departments in Ozaukee and Washington counties, but chiefs and commanders are adamant that they will not compromise public safety in an effort to save fuel. The numbers are stark. Germantown police budgeted $65,000 for gasoline this year, but the department is on pace to spend more than $98,000. “When we put the budget together last August, we had no idea that gasoline would be $4 a gallon,” Chief Peter Hoell said. So far, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department is also on pace to exceed its gasoline budget, Capt. Jerry Ebert said. The department budgeted $119,000 for this year and expects to spend nearly $158,000. In the first six... [read full story]