Port Orange police to lower patrols due to officer shortage

The Port Orange Police Department said it is sacrificing some of its patrols because it doesn’t have enough officers.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The department is down about 10% of its 96-person force.

Right now, patrol units that would typically have eight officers are down to six.

Read: Documents: Volusia County teacher accused of having relationship with student warned multiple times

The police chief says the shortage will leave some zones un-supervised.

“If there is a crime in progress, if there is something that could potentially be dangerous, obviously we are gonna respond like we would respond like we would on any other occasion, but there is a potential that that zone won’t have anyone assigned to it,” said Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino.

Read: FWC officers help rescue elderly woman missing for over 24 hours in Volusia County

The department’s union president said this is a major concern and that many officers are at their breaking point.

The union president said he will begin a series of budget negotiations with the city Friday.

Watch: Port Orange Police arrest 4 teens for vandalism at Spruce Creek Elementary School

The city said it has raised starting pay by an average of 7% each of the last three years.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.