PRINCE EDWARD — County supervisors green-lighted the at-will enforcement program instituted at the start of the 2014 fiscal year, allowing sheriff’s deputies to work additional traffic enforcement and it is paying for itself.

County supervisors, following the sheriff’s presentation last Tuesday, agreed to extend it a year and continue with updates every six months.

According to County Administrator Wade Bartlett, collections (including fines) for the first six months this were $82,288. Collections averaged $8,265 per month or $49,590 for the first six months of the 2013 fiscal year. The current year’s figures show an increase of $32,698 over the same period and exceed expenses by $4,340.

“…On a financial basis, this program funds itself,” Bartlett stated.

While the County receives some grant funding for overtime enforcement, it is time-specific. Prince Edward began chipping in additional funds with the expectation that the program would cover the cost through fines.

It’s also, however, paying other dividends. Sheriff Wesley told supervisors that it has been a “great success for our department and for the citizens of Prince Edward County,” citing several reasons.

Among the highlights of his report:

*There were 43 reported breaking and enterings. Some were founded and some were unfounded, the sheriff reported. Arrests were made, he said, “on quite a few of those.” It is, however, way down compared to previous years, which he said has a lot to do with the patrol techniques they use, the visibility of the at-will program because he has more manpower out to answer calls.

*They served 8,679 civil papers.

*There were 8,173 calls for service, which he noted is “a lot of calls.”

*That the department conducts building checks where they, on each shift, check the residents of those who are on vacation, check all of the businesses. They had 30,000 such checks last year.

*The also wrote 2,727 summonses. They still have cases coming to the courts, lingering from November and December, he said. With summonses alone, he told the board, they have generated approximately $103,000.

“So you can see that the at-will program is a win-win situation for everyone, but mainly because we get the visibility, we get the extra manpower out there and that helps keep the crime rate down,” Reed said. “And I am grateful that you all have allowed us to work this and I’m trusting that you all will continue to let us work it because…it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

Buffalo District Supervisor C.R. “Bob” Timmons asked if the sheriff saw DUIs going up now that they have more exposure.

They’ve had several arrests, Reed reported, but he also stated that “people are being more careful.”