Cops Forced to Carpool

The gas shortage in the Tennessee Valley hits those paid to protect you.  Chattanooga Police tell us their fuel supply is so low, they're now having to put two patrolmen in one car.

Spokesperson Jerri Weary says, "Right now we're doing our best to conserve fuel, as you know, is a needed commodity in this region."

A commodity that Chattanooga Police Officers are seeing less of, just like everyone else in the area.  But, their gas supply is so low, they're worried they won't be able to fill up much longer, and are doing everything they can to make the last drops last.  Our cameras caught one plan, many officers are now forced to pair up and patrol in one car.  "Officers will be out on foot checking a lot of businesses, don't think for one moment that just because we're in 1 car that we won't be out in full force, the officers will be there, we'll just be there together."

But together means altogether there will be fewer police cars on the streets responding to calls.  And after a summer filled with a record high number of shootings and other violent crimes, we wanted to know how safe citizens will be.  "We are going to keep on policing the same way we have all summer long, we do encourage citizens of Chattanooga, if you see a crime, give us a call, we will respond."

Respond, but with fewer patrol cars stretched over the same area, so asked if the response time will be the same as well.  "Will this lengthen response time? We don't anticipate that it will create a great response time, there may be a short gap."

But, CPD says that gap will only be in non emergency situations, and they hope this gas gap will soon be over and this cop carpooling will be over as well.  "Police protection is here, it will be here, as we know we are in a profession that's needed and so we will be here and the citizens of Chattanooga will be protected."

Weary says they are also taking other steps to save gas like idling cars less and letting the teleserve unit handle calls that don't need an officer response.  We also talked with Captain Mike Williams who says they are unsure when their next shipment of gas will come in are just trying to make the current shipment last.