Sheriff's offices in Wayne and Ashland counties cut gas use as inflation takes hold
Gas prices have skyrocketed to highs of nearly $5 per gallon in parts of Ohio affecting everyone from commuters to businesses.
Sheriff's offices in Wayne and Ashland counties are feeling the pinch too, reducing patrol times and distances to save on money budgeted nearly a year in advance – before inflation took hold.
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"While gas prices were expected to rise, there is no way anyone could have predicted the sharp increase we have seen in recent weeks," said Wayne County's Capt. Doug Hunter.
As prices continue to rise, the county has patrol deputies to conserving fuel wherever possible, Hunter said.
"It is important for us to conserve now to avoid running out of money (and fuel) at the end of the year," he said.
Increased fuel costs
Fuel prices reached nearly $5 per gallon in Ashland County and $4.95 in Wayne County by Wednesday, June 22, according to AAA.
Those costs have steadily and sometimes sharply increased over the last several months, especially in late March, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine the month before.
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The Ashland County Sheriff's Office reported spending $16,574 in May, that's up by nearly $7,000 from November 2021.
Wayne County Sheriff's Office fuel expenditures peaked in March at $12,997, a nearly $3,000 increase from December 2021.
How will this change policing practices?
While visibility in Wayne County communities is still a priority for Hunter, the increased gas prices have put him in a bind to balance budgeted costs and policing.
Hunter's crew of deputies will handle more service calls by phone rather than patrol, he said.
"Given the nature of our work, it is difficult to make any significant reductions (in patrols), but we do the best we can," Hunter said
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The situation is similar in Ashland County.
Sheriff E. Wayne Risner reduced patrols' driving time, but, he said, deputies will be more visible in village and township areas.
Three cruisers will always be on patrol or available, Risner said. Some deputies will double up in one cruiser as needed.
"It is nearly impossible to measure the impact of simply seeing a cruiser has on deterring crime," Hunter said. "We feel that it is important for our cruisers to be out and about and be visible to the community."
Reach Bryce by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com
On Twitter: @Bryce_Buyakie
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne, Ashland sheriff's offices find ways to reduce fuel costs
