It was with great interest that I recently read Des Moines Register article about a drop in the number of Iowa State Troopers who would patrol the Iowa roads each night:
The State Patrol is down to 379 uniformed officers, its lowest level in 46 years. What that means: During overnight hours, there is no trooper on duty in a majority of the 14 field districts, an examination of state records shows.
I have to ask my friend down in Iowa, Steve Lombardi about this. Steve, what is going on and what affect is this having on cases? It seems to me that investigation may be affected and that there may be concerns about an increase in the usual cause for the many accidents we see. That there will be more speeding, drinking and driving, texting and driving, and less seatbelt wearers without effective enforcement?
The increase in the usual causes for accidents can mean dangerous things for people as they travel these roads? When you look at the cost of collisions, it may be a case of being penny wise and a pound foolish. This will be a change that hopefully other states will be observing to see what uneducated line item cuts can cause.
