RICHMOND
A new report says the Virginia State Police needs more manpower to address highway safety, identify theft and other issues.
The internal manpower study obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch says the agency needs an additional 600 troopers, investigators and supervisors.
But Virginia's budget problems could hinder efforts to add personnel. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine plans to slash spending and has asked directors of state agencies to submit contingencies by Friday.
Earlier this month, the State Police notified 63 new-trooper candidates that the agency is postponing its academy class until February. The move will save $250,000 a month.
State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says the agency is doing everything it can to avoid cutting services.
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You bet...
And keeping idiot drivers in check.
600??
600 more troopers sitting in medians shooting radar keeping us "safe"...
One alternative solution...
better utilize the manpower already in uniform. Do we honestly need three or four officers at the downtown tunnel writing tickets each morning. What about the couple at the cross-over on 264 west of Geo Washington Hwy? Those two oppositely parked units discussing lunch options should be patrolling. Better utilization of assets - that's what we need.
TO ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS, LISTEN UP!!!!
You and society in general are fed up with Congress judging by their lowest approval rating in history, yet:
1) In the last votes within Congress, Obama has voted "Present" in over 80% of the time instead of taking a stand on the things he claims now to stand for as a presedential candidate, ironic? 2) Democrats want to cut domestic spending for everything from teachers to law enforcement while they fervently want to take away rights to protect your home with a gun. 3) Democrats have fought for years to give back convicted felons the right to vote. 4) Are you tired of all the gov't bailouts of big corporations? Well guess who recieved the most contributions from Lehman Brothers, AIG, and Fannie Mae than any other candidate in the past 20 years? Thats right! Obama and the Democratic party have received more contributions from crddit-based corporations for decades. Biden's biggest supporters are the credit card companies all based in Delaware. Obama says he wants to raise the taxes of anyone making over $250k/yr. yet the democrats has targeted anyone making over $45k/yr. Obama has never voted against party lines for anything. Keep wearing the shirts that have his face with "Hope a
You must be kidding
With the taxes we pay there should be a trooper on every corner. What are these recruits supposed to do for paychecks while they wait on the government to get them in the academy? Do you think they can live five months with no income? Obviously they're going to leave and go to other agencies, and the money spent recruiting them is lost. Tim Kaine is an idiot, and this is just another example of egregious waste of taxpayer dollars.
Lack of funds.
What do you expect from a cash strapped state? Raise taxes? For what? So the government can have MORE money to mis-manage and mis-handle like they are currently? The government cannot expect budgets to increase every year when people are barely getting by making ends meet and many aren't evening doing that. I hope the 65 or so take this as a warning and get out of the new class before February. Imagine them thinking they have a new job and now having to wait until February. Hope they didn't notify their previous employers of their intent to quit.
Too Many "nice to have" Programs in the Commonwealth's Budget
The Commonwealth's budget has to differentiate between need programs and nice to have programs. Until you to that there will never be enough money to satify the myriad of programs and social issues available to choose from.
The people of Virginia cannot pay for everything - urgent needs fall in the public safety, infrastructure, and transportation categories. Hard choices befall every family, business owner, and corporation. The Commonwealth must do the same.
Ever hear a politician say they are returning your money this year 'cause we have a surplus? Never will happen in Virginia until fiscal responsibility happens.
Expected decision
What else would you expect from the state government? We need additional troopers to provide the citizenry with the protection they need, but no, we're not going to do it. Let the citizenry be victimized with little recourse! This like all programs administered by the government are not fully funded. They fund it just enough to keep the majority of the citizenry quiet, while allowing the politicos to say they are doing something. It is time they either do it right or not at all. Stop playing with our lives. Properly fund all programs and agencies and tax us at the rate that will make it work, that includes or infrastructure needs.
Budget Problems
If the HOV restrictions were enforced and well-policed, violations on 264 each morning and afternoon would easily pay for a good chunk of these new troopers.