ILLINOIS STATE POLICE DOING MORE WITH FEWER TROOPERS

ULLIN, Ill -- The Illinois State Police Department is doing more with less in Southern Illinois.

"We're working hard and maintaining our enforcement activities," said Lt. Richard Evans, commander of District 22, headquartered at Ullin, Ill.

District 22, like other state police districts throughout the state, is operating with fewer troopers than two years ago.

The Illinois State Police Department has slashed its ranks of sworn officers almost 25 percent over the past three years, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, which announced the results of its investigation last weekend.

According to the report, the number tickets issued for traffic and other violations plummeted 23 percent between 1991 and 1993.

That hasn't been the case in the state's southernmost district. Despite operating with eight fewer officers, the district has maintained its activity level.

The 22nd District encompasses the counties of Alexander, Pulaski, Union, Hardin, Johnson, Massac and Pope.

The latest monthly report from the district reveals that troopers made 825 traffic arrests and issued 1,611 written warnings during the month of August. Traffic arrest totals include 106 occupant restraint arrests and 416 speeding arrests.

Troopers also made a total of 55 criminal arrests, 11 DUI arrests and 16 other alcohol-related arrests.

In addition to arrests, District 22 troopers handled 189 motorist assist calls and investigated 65 accidents.

Additional truck enforcement statistics during August show that troopers completed 166 motor carrier safety inspections and inspected 82 vehicles carrying hazardous materials.

"We have been busy," said Evans. "Our people are working hard and keeping activity up."

"Districts all over the state are working harder," said Mark McDonald, a spokesman for the Illinois State Police Department, Springfield. "They're hoping for some help down the road."

McDonald takes issue with the Chicago Sun-Times article.

"The newspaper didn't tell the whole story," said McDonald. "The things that are happening are all a part of a five-year program initiated by the state police director."

When Terry Gainer became director, one of his first orders of business was to rid the department of some top-heavy administrative positions, noted McDonald.

"Gainer wanted to get more officers away from the desks and on the roads," said McDonald. "In order to do this he introduced a five-year plan which included some early retirement options."

More than 350 officers took advantage of early retirements, "but 60 percent of those officers were behind desks," noted McDonald.

"Our numbers are down, but our sworn officers who work the roads are only down 12 percent," he said. "When you look at certain activities, they are also down about 12 percent."

That statistic is deceiving, however, said McDonald. While traffic tickets are down, DUI tickets are up.

"Another activity that has been increased is that of drug interdiction, especially in Southern Illinois," said McDonald, adding that officers are watching the interstates, hoping to keep drugs from reaching the metropolitan Chicago area.

There is hope for the future, adds McDonald.

"A cadet class of 55 officers will graduate later this month," he said. "Over the next year, we hope to see two more graduating classes that will provide another 100 officers."

That totals 165 officers within the next year.

That won't quite cover the losses of troopers working the road, but districts are being urged to deploy people where they are needed most, McDonald said.

"All districts are doing this."