PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The sheriff in Lake County said he was forced to let go of several deputies because of cuts in the 2012 road patrol budget.
Four of the deputy sheriffs were told on Thursday that their last day at the department will be January 28. Chief Deputy Frank Leonbruno said the fifth deputy was lost through attrition.
The latest round of cuts brings the total number of full-time deputies laid off or not replaced to 55 since 2009.
During the same period, the department reported the number of deputies on patrol has been reduced from 36 to 17. Of the 17 remaining patrol deputies, seven are paid for between Concord and Painesville Township.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office now has only 134 full-time employees, 29 percent less than two years ago. The numbers don’t include the 13 part-time employees have also been let go to tighten the budget.
