Iowa State Patrol needs more efficient spending

An Aug. 3 Gazette editorial described the Iowa State Patrol as suffering from a severe lack of men, machines and money. That may well be the case but hard economic conditions are being dealt with by all state departments.

Last time around, the legislators in Des Moines saw fit to pony up $1.6 million more for the public safety department's budget. It's time for the troops on the ground and in the air to use that money as efficiently as possible and be thankful they have it. It's no secret that other state programs have been subject to budget cuts. Many are doing more with less and being forced to adjust to new restrictions.

Currently, there are 362 troopers out there. May I suggest that the State Patrol management team immediately review how well they are utilizing their manpower and determine why 362 guys out there aren't enough.

The highway patrol has seven airplanes, so why is this an issue? High-altitude law enforcement always involves heavy use of assets that might well be deployed more effectively performing other tasks. It's time to buck up, men.

Curt Perry

Cedar Rapids