Paper: Sheriff reduces staff, felons to be released

On Christmas Eve, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Brown County Sheriff's office would be down to just one cruiser starting at the beginning of the year.

The Brown County News Democrat has published a more detailed story, which reveals that the sheriff's office is preparing to release felons because they do not have the funding to keep them incarcerated.

While residents learned of staff reductions and budget shortfalls in the Sheriff's office on Monday, Brown County Common Pleas Court Judge R. Alan Corbin and Prosecutor Tom Grennan had to begin preparing to release convicted felons from jail.

It was not something Judge Corbin was prepared to do.

"I think that it's imperative that we be able to put felons in jail or prison if and when necessary," said Corbin. "I have an interest in seeing that our felons are incarcerated."

Corbin said that if he is forced to make decisions of who will be released, it will be a difficult one that he and Prosecutor Tom Grennan will have to look at together.

"We shouldn't have to allow felons to be freed like this," said Corbin.

According to the story, the Brown Co. Commissioners office approved the 2005 budget on Dec. 17. The Commissioners cut $730,000 from the previous budget.

Cuts were necessary, the paper says, because the county's revenue has declined slightly and the cost of doing the county's business continues to increase.

The Sheriff's office took the hardest hit because it has the largest part of the county's expenses. The office uses around 40 percent out of the general fund. Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger said that he has more operations money than all other departments put together.

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During a press conference held Monday, Dec. 20, attended by the newspaper, Wenninger expressed his concern and disappointment.

"We have to reduce the road patrol to one car per 12 hour shift. We have to cut our investigation department from four to one investigator and our K-9 unit, which is known all across Ohio will be reduced down from four to one K-9 officer," said Wenninger.

Brown County covers 496 square miles, and is the second largest county in Ohio.

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"The biggest fear I have is for people's safety. I'm here to protect the peace and the services of Brown County. When you starting having to reduce the number of felons . . . turning (them) back out on the street it's going to be like a domino effect and I'm afraid of it getting worse," Wenninger is quoted as saying.

Despite all this, what does the News Democrat report Wenninger's advice is concerning the 43,000 residents of Brown County, Ohio?

"I hope it doesn't come to people feeling the need to protect themselves," said Wenninger. "We have villages that are willing to help."

In other words, dial 911 and wait.

Thanks, Sheriff Wenninger, but no thanks.