CUMBERLAND- With unexpected funding, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office intends to hire two new deputies. Sheriff Craig Robertson received “good news” despite his department’s application for some federal grant money being rejected.
According to Robertson, Tanya Gomer, the grant writer for Allegany County, revised a State Aid for Police Protection Fund grant application. The county normally receives roughly $250,000 each year from the program.
Granted by the county Commissioner
He set up almost $280,000 this year in preparation for the state funding. “This year (Gomer) changed the formula for that, and) we now learn that Allegany County will get $460,000 instead,” Robertson stated. “I was a little taken aback when I received the letter from the state because she had sort of taken this on on her own.”
Robertson requested that the county adjust the budget for his department to include the extra $180,000 for the two deputy posts. According to his estimation, $315,000 will pay for two sworn law enforcement officers’ wages, benefits, uniforms, equipment, and technology.
He stated that he hopes to fill the posts via “lateral transfers from other agencies.” Robertson’s plea was granted by the county commissioners on Thursday.
Gomer received praise from Commissioner Bill Atkinson for obtaining the extra funding. Crime Statistics In a letter to the commissioners earlier this month, Robertson stated that the roles are essential to maintaining the safety of the county.
The letter said, “Allegany County is in the 22nd percentile for safety according to crimegrade.org, which means that 78% of other counties are safer.” “So basically one in nine (people) are the victim of crime in our most populated areas,” the report said, citing the crime rate of 50.94 per 1,000 residents.
Over 60,000 acres of public land, 61 community parks, 23 school recreation centers, 54 regional parks, 22 neighborhood parks, 50 private recreation areas, 22 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage, 54 miles of the C&O Canal, and 28 miles of the Potomac River are all located in a rural area like Allegany County, according to the statement. “Compared to urban areas, these rural conditions make accessibility and travel more challenging.”