“Small towns are having this discussion around maintaining the most basic functions of local government, police services being one of them,” said Josh Garcia, the acting town administrator for Blandford. Officials there said officers from the Massachusetts State Police, the local sheriff’s department and the Chester Police Department were helping to patrol the town. Still, the entire police department’s sudden exit was jarring in Blandford, which is just east of the Berkshires. And residents have long been used to the sight of state police troopers in town, because the Blandford officers kept only limited hours. In addition to safety concerns they raised about their cars, she said officers were frustrated because town officials were seeking applications to replace her.

Source: New York Times August 01, 2018 01:07 UTC