The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is asking for a higher budget in 2013. Sheriff Pat Melton said their department needs more money to properly serve the community.
“We need help,” Melton said. “Our staff is running at capacity. We're running a 24 hour, 7-days-a-week operation.”
Melton wants to increase the pay of some of his current deputies. The argument he’s taking to county leaders is that on his deputies current salaries, he said nine of them make the same or less than the county dog catcher and custodian.
Melton would also like to add three deputies to the department.
“This community is tired of being robbed... Of the home invasions we've had. The murders. You know they're tired of the crime and of the drugs.”
Melton said the 2011 Kentucky State Police Crime Report ranks Franklin County in the same per capita crime ranking as the state’s two largest cities, Lexington and Louisville.
“Some people think this is Mayberry, and that's great. It's not. In reality, times are different today than they were 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 20 years ago,” Melton said.
He added, “And with the changes in time, we've got to be progressive, we've got to stay on top of that game, and we're just asking for the resources to help the community, and make it a better place to live, work and play.”
