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