Grants Pass, Ore. — New statistics show just how much work Oregon State Troopers are doing in Josephine County.
Budeget cuts in 2012 left Sheriff Gil Gilbertson with just two deputies. And to make matters worse one is out on injury leaving an even bigger work load for Oregon State Troopers.
The budget cuts forced Gilbertson to lay off 65% of his workforce.
“It’s been tough since then,” Gilbertson said.
And Oregon State Police are left picking up the slack. Gilbertson said there are 11 troopers working in Josephine County.
“They pulled these from other parts of the state so these people are paying for their troopers to be here,” Gilbertson said.
According to OSP troopers handled 797 cases in Josephine County in 2013. They responded to 50 cases before budget cuts in 2011.
“There’s a lot more criminal activity going on because people understand we’re very weak when it comes to responding to calls,” Gilbertson said.
On top of that OSP handled 148 cases in Jackson County in 2013. In the statement released they said the increased case load definitely leads to long hours, increased responsibility and associated pressures.
Oregon State Police did not say how much the extra work is costing their agency. But they have received legislative approval to hire 14 new troopers in January 2015 to staff positions in other Southern Oregon counties.
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