Gas Prices Force Mid-Michigan Sheriff To Put Brakes On His Deputies

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — High gas prices are putting the brakes on sheriff's deputies in a mid-Michigan county.

The Isabella County sheriff said some calls will be handled over the phone instead of sending an officer.

"This would be non-in-progress calls, non-life-threatening calls, calls that do not require evidence collection or documentation," Sheriff Michael Main said on Facebook.

He said his office is "feeling the pain at the pump."

The average Michigan gas price is more than $5 per gallon, AAA Michigan said.

Deputies "will respond to those calls that need to be managed in person. ... I want to assure the community that safety is our primary goal, and we will continue to respond to those types of calls," the sheriff said.

is oputting Fuel costs – currently at a record $5.19 a gallon – have prompted the Isabella County Sheriff's Department to handle some calls over the phone.

Sheriff Michael Main late Tuesday posted on social media that the department had spent its annual fuel budget and had several months left in the budget year.

"Isabella County Sheriff's Office is feeling the pain at the pump as well," the Facebook post said.

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