The number of law enforcement officers in Carroll County is not keeping up with the rapidly growing population.
And the proposed fiscal 2007 operating budget before the county commissioners will not help.
With 209 law enforcement officers for a county of more than 170,000, Carroll has the worst officer-to-resident ratio in the state, according to Carroll County Sheriff?s Department.
The ratio, 1.2 law enforcement officers for every 1,000 residents, is far below Maryland?s average of 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents. Carroll County?s population is expected to grow by 3,500 every year, said Sgt. Phil Kasten, of the county sheriff?s department.
The operating budget has only earmarked enough money to add two deputies to the sheriff?s department, which is scheduled to receive $4.1 million, compared with $3.5 million in 2006, an increase that will allow the county to maintain ? and not improve ? its status, said Budget Director Ted Zaleski.
“Carroll County is not one overrun with crime, but we do recognize that as the county grows, you are going to have more crime,” he said.
The growth in population has led to an increase in crime and traffic accidents in recent years.
Carroll County saw a 9.5 percent spike in reports of serious crime, including burglary and car theft, from 2004-05, The Examiner reported earlier this month.
by the numbers
Sworn law enforcement in Carroll County as of March:
» Sheriff?s Office: 60
» Hampstead police: 7
» Manchester police: 5
» Maryland State Police: 78
» Sykesville police: 6
» Taneytown police: 10
» Westminster police: 43
» Total: 209
» County population: 171,033
» Per 1,000 residents: 1.2 percent
? Source: Carroll County Sheriff?s Department
