KSP To Cut Patrols In Order To Save Money

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Posted: 1:06 PM Jun 30, 2008
Last Updated: 10:39 AM Jul 1, 2008

37 comments

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High gas prices are hitting everyone hard. Even Kentucky State Police are changing the way they patrol in order to cut down on the use of fuel.

KSP is already cutting back on fuel usage. Last month, KSP purchased 160,000 gallons of fuel compared to May 2007 when 170,500 gallons were purchased. Even with the cutback, fuel still cost an additional $132,000.

As a result, KSP is changing the way it will patrol for the remainder of the summer.

Operation Safe C.H.E.C.K. (Concentrated Highway Enforcement Checkpoints in Kentucky) is a new enforcement campaign will roll out July 4th and run through Labor Day Weekend. The campaign will include more than 200 road checks statewide during this time period.

The roadblocks will be put in high-crash locations.

Captain Tim Lucas, Commander for the KSP Highway Safety Branch will oversee the summer checkpoint project.

"To keep traffic moving, some vehicles are permitted to pass without screening while others are randomly selected for inspection. The drivers who are not stopped for screening are still impacted by the visual exposure of enforcement activity," added Lucas.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2009 at 06:54 PM
if the people just thought .the law is running illegal .their cars are not taged in their names,the insurance isnt in their name,the registration isnt either so why cant the citizens write them up for their infractions. its not right

Posted by: charles Location: lost creek on Jul 3, 2008 at 12:43 PM
You all need to leave ann form knott county along what you all need to do is get a job or go in an work early so my check will come on time YOU ALL GOT TO MUCH TIME ON YA HANDS LOL

Posted by: Rudy Location: Pike on Jul 3, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I don't see why the cops don't take the 4th off.we all ready have our prisons full.Give every one a break.

Posted by: Powerlegal Location: Lexington on Jul 3, 2008 at 01:58 AM
Just so everyone knows, if the police stop you and ask you to take a field sobriety test, you should always refuse it. Refusing a FST carries no penalties and is totally voluntary. Refusing to submit to the tests cannot be used against you in court.

Posted by: steve on Jul 2, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Well i am a law abiding person and i have 100 percent respect for police officers but i disagree with the stop points this is good ole frankfort socialism at its best the police is doing what they are told. Its called creeping communism bashear the thrasher and his cronies are going to squeeze the kentucky people these libs could care less about us we cant even get the road sides cut off since this goof liberal took office. They just about took our guns last week when are we the people going to stand up to these nuts enough is enough the libs are destroying this country. They will not do anything for the high gas they are the ones in power not the republicans better wake up America they love a bad economy they love doom and gloom this is just pathetic.

Posted by: RS Location: Lexington on Jul 2, 2008 at 01:50 AM
I don't know how much of a deterrent they are. When someone started parking a cruiser near my apartment, all my drug dealing neighbor did was get his customers to enter through the back door instead of the front.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:34 PM
If those of you are that jealous that police officers get to take there cars home then man up and apply. Oh "BOO-HOO its not fair that they can use their cars off duty", god forbid they get a little extra perk for doing the most dangerous job in america. The fact is that those of you that set on here and blog all day and complain about every law enforcement agency in the state is that you could not be the police even if you wanted to. It takes a very special person to do that job and its obvious that you don't have what it takes. Police have always been able to take their cars home and they always will no matter how high gas prices get. In fact Lexington Metro police added another 100 cruisers to the fleet instead of cutting back. I'm glad some cities have their priorities in line. Thank you to all the officers for what you do every day to protect us. By the way its not just your taxes that pay for their gas, police officers pay taxes too.

Posted by: Sandra Location: Lexington on Jul 1, 2008 at 05:56 PM
I jut have to comment to Dan from Russell Springs and everyone regarding using law enforcement vehicles for personal use. I have NO problem with an officer driving the car home and parking it in the driveway. But when we have officers that commute to their jobs over long distances and the taxpayers are footing the bill that's a problem. Law enforcement officers have NO business driving their families around in their cruisers. They earn a paycheck for their job, that does not entitle them to take advantage of taxpayer money to do their personal business. They should have to purchase and maintain a vehicle for their personal use just like the average joe. Take the cruiser home, park it in the driveway - if they need it for a call its there and its visible, but taxpayers aren't responsible for an officer's personal business! Wake up people, this only affects YOUR paycheck in the long run when taxes go up.

Posted by: Jeb Location: Ky on Jul 1, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Note for Bill Location: Southeast ky. I always thought the same as you but my law enforcement friends have informed me that they advertise as a deterent. If people know they will be out with road blocks, maybe they won't drink and drive. If you can "deter" crime, it's better than needing beefed up patrols trying to catch those who are breaking the law; in this case, drunk driving. By the way people, it's not profiling or entrapment. If you aren't guilty of anything, a checkpoint is not your enemy. For those who are found to be in violation of the law, you weren't guilty until you got caught...right? LOL! Thanks KSP but please beef up patrols on I-75 between Berea and Lexington.

Posted by: viewer on Jul 1, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I have never heard so much foolishness they take the cars home for visablity and quick response they can be called out any time it is a big deterant when you need them do you want them to stay under 55 and crawl or hurry to your rescue,cops are like the doctor its fine when your in trouble but when it comes to paying the bill they are all wrong

Posted by: Early Cuyler Location: Squidville on Jul 1, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I agree with the Civil Rights violation......it's called unlawful search and seizure. Just fishing won't get it boys.

Posted by: Frank Location: Lexington on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Odd thing about road check areas. Why tell where they will be. I have never understood the reason for doing so.

Posted by: ann Location: Knott on Jul 1, 2008 at 09:52 AM
It's spelled, "you're" an idiot. His mistake was a simple typo, as opposed to your gammar mistake. Just sayin'.....

Posted by: whitney Location: lexington on Jul 1, 2008 at 09:24 AM
If patrol cars were only used while officers were on duty it would save tax payers alot of money. They should not be allowed to take them home and drive there family all over town.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 1, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Ann of Knott County, "your" grammar is incorrect as well. The word "your" is incorrectly used in "your" statement "your an idiot", it should be "you're an idiot" or "you are an idiot". I believe under "your" language rules you are disqualified from commenting also.

Posted by: Paul Location: Lex on Jul 1, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Seems to me about 2-3 years ago the Dept of Vehicle Enforcement was beefed up to take the traffic duties from the KSP so they assume more investigative, criminal enforcement duties. You have to admit folks, when you see a state trooper.. we all slow down. Is it just me or does any body else hear in the back of there heads at a road block "papers? ve vant to zee your papers"

Posted by: Mary Location: Lexington on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Hey Ann from Knott County... actually "you're" an idiot so please learn to spell. Your comment made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. You condemn someone for spelling a word incorrectly and you did the same thing!

Posted by: tony Location: jeffersonville on Jun 30, 2008 at 11:38 PM
should have it like the montgomery co jailer has a car he takes everywhere also furnishes his chief deputy a car the only car he has had since they took office county officials dont seem to mind so im sure they dont care how much gas goes up to

Posted by: Bill Location: Southeast ky on Jun 30, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I agree with the roadblocks,but they shouldn't have advertised this. They should have kept this quiet so the people breaking the law would have still came out. As far as saving gas goes I also agree with the slowing down when not on an emergency call. I've slowed down and it's helped my fuel milage.

Posted by: SRM Location: Greenup County on Jun 30, 2008 at 11:05 PM
If you are not guilty of any thing you have noting to worry about. But if you are drinking, doping, speeding or anything violating the law then you should be pulled off the road. A road check is not a violation of your civil rights. It is a violation of my or others civil rights for an idiot like you to be on the highway breaking the law putting others in danger or killing others. Sounds like about half of you should already be in jail the way you writing. We would not need so many police if it weren't for people like you that are blaming the police when it is your fault wanting to take dope, talk on acell phone get drunk and speed killing other people. Don't blame the cops look in a mirrow you will see the guilt one.

Posted by: KCJ Location: MC on Jun 30, 2008 at 10:55 PM
You mean, "you're."

Posted by: Ann Location: Knott County on Jun 30, 2008 at 09:25 PM
a violation of your civil rights you mean? your an idiot learn to spell and then you can leave a comment!!

Posted by: Jay Location: Richmond on Jun 30, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Yea great, let's tell the world we are cutting back patrols. Let's just leave our doors unlocked too. Whatta Headline??

Posted by: Barry Location: floyd county on Jun 30, 2008 at 08:59 PM
If the KSP would slow down to 55 mph instead of mach 1 they could cut their fuel budget in half! As for the road blocks and random searches...I did'nt think the cops could get any lazier, but I guess I was wrong!

Posted by: Dan Location: Russell Springs Ky on Jun 30, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Folks there is nothing wrong with law enforcement taking a cruiser home. I wish there was one parked in my drive way. It cuts down on crime in the neighborhood. As far as the road blocks, I have no problem with it. I am on the road all day long everyday, some of you non seat belt wearing, cell phone lovers need a roadblock. Ladies and gentlemen of lawenforcement, keep tring to do your jobs. Some of us respect the work you do. For those of you that dont like the idea of roadblocks you have a choices, A. stay off the road. B. Wear your seat belt and stay off the cell phones get insurance and lis. your vehicle. Odds are your upset because your breaking the law in the first place. You complain about lawenforcement causing you to burn gas, but I havent seen a shortage of lines at the local drive thrus. Which brings us to my last thought, buy a bike you can eliminate several problems at once. God Bless all lawenforcement and their families. Feedom isnt free, nor is it chea!

Posted by: Eddie Location: Pikeville on Jun 30, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Ghettochip: Get real..They will check your license and registration, as well as your tags. If any of them are expired, ticket. If they smell alcohol or suspect impairment, you take a sobriety test. Profiling...Right. Most of the people who will get tickets for anything or arrested for anything will be white. To Justin, how are they a violation of your civil rights? You DO understand a license to drive is not a right, it's a privilege, right? Nowhere in the Constitution does it say "Oh, by the way, EVERYONE has a right to drive".

Posted by: John Location: Lexington on Jun 30, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Justin: What? You get a DUI in one?? Get a life!

Posted by: Jon Location: Lexington on Jun 30, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Want to save 50%? At the end of a shift park your car at the post or the counnty DOT garage. With such a bad economic recession, they should drive to work like the rest of us. The public would be furious if they knew how many KSP employeees have 2 hour daily commutes (all at taxpayer expense). This perk is exactly why they burn so much fuel.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Jun 30, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I would agree with this except for the fact that I've been through many KSP road checks before, and they won't save any gas unless they shut the engines off those cruisers while they're sitting there...however they can't do this because then their batteries will run dead from the lights flashing. Vehicles idling use just as much gas as vehicles driving up and down the road. The only way they are going to save fuel is to sit on the side of the road running radar, and only starting their vehicles when they pull over a car. This is not sensible however to sit there for hours at a time, so I don't know what they are going to do...but increasing gas-wasting road checks isn't going to help their bottom line. And to those saying that a road check violates their civil rights, you need to go read your Supreme Court rulings. They ruled several years back that a highway safety or DUI checkpoint is perfectly legal. The probable cause to "inspect" you is if they smell alcohol or see somethin

Posted by: Justin Location: lexington on Jun 30, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Road blocks are a violation of our covil rights

Posted by: Dan Location: Rich on Jun 30, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Why not look at all state vehicles? they take them home use them for personal use; while running up and down the interstate speeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: shannen Location: lexington on Jun 30, 2008 at 04:29 PM
I understand their gas crisis I am sure we all do but as far as I am concerned we are the ones who will still suffer.Sitting and waiting to get through a road block is doing nothing but wasting our time and gas!! As far as their random "inspections" I thought they had to have probable cause to search you??? What happened to that???

Posted by: KentuckyGuy Location: Bluegrass on Jun 30, 2008 at 04:27 PM
How about we use some of those alternative sources for the police cars? Like a giant wind turbine on each cruiser...just have to make sure the wind is blowing on a chase. Or solar panels on the cruisers...only daytime patrols and the cruiser goes 15 mph. Or the battery powered type..where do you plug it in? Drill Now.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jun 30, 2008 at 03:35 PM
So the State Police are going to do more roadblocks? What Brainiac came up with that asinine ideal? Block the road..cause cars to slow down and/or idle...then are allowed to pass slowly thru and others must stop to allow police to make an inspection. This shud save the cops a lot of gas but the rest of us are gonna have to pay. Real smart. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: janedoe Location: ky on Jun 30, 2008 at 03:15 PM
I love the idea of law enforcement by sitting still. We will probably actually get more enforcement for less money. I hope some of this will be on I75. The level of speeding on that road is frightening. There is also probably a lot of drugs and other contraband moving on that road.

Posted by: anon Location: anon on Jun 30, 2008 at 03:10 PM
If they would quit driving the vehicles home and for personal use they would save a lot. I see he sheriff department and city police driving their family around all the time.

Posted by: East Ky. Mom Location: Eastern Ky. on Jun 30, 2008 at 03:00 PM
I think the road checks are a great thing and they should continue but isn't there something else we can cut from the state so that these hard working folks can keep up their patrols and keep our roads safer. With this being advertised people will take more advantage and cause more wrecks. I watch stupid people everyday pass in no passing zones, school zones and speed and it makes me furious!! Sometimes I wish our State Police had more presence especially on one of the top ten dangerous roads in the state!!!!

Posted by: ghettochip Location: richmond on Jun 30, 2008 at 02:24 PM
what...are they going to strip search people? i am in favour of saving gas, but what exactly does "inspection" mean? I am certain there will be some profiling going on. Beware...do not trust them.

Posted by: Daniel Location: Morehead on Jun 30, 2008 at 01:37 PM
In my opinion it would be more benificial for them to modify the way they drive in non-pursiut situations. Rapid acceleration and high interstate speeds will rapidly decresse your MPG. for every 10 mph over 65 you gas cost an average of .50$ per gallon. This would eleviate half of the price increase

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