Predictions that gas will keep going up in price are not curtailing the patrol plans of Iowa State Troopers. Delivery and refinery problems continue to hold up the supply to retail gas stations, but Highway Patrol Community Resource Officer Mark Stewart says unlike some past years when budget considerations cut into patrol miles, officers will not cut back the amount of time they spend driving.
They’ll keep an eye on the budget and depending how long gas prices stay this high, or if they go even higher, the patrol may have to consider going to lawmakers for a supplement to the agency’s budget. A few years ago, drastic budget cutbacks had fewer patrol cars on the road, but Stewart says he hasn’t seen that happening this time around.
"I haven’t noticed at all, and I haven’t had any of the troopers call in and say that they’ve seen any reduction either." He says the troopers aren’t seeing other motorists cutting back their travel, either. While crude oil’s dipped on world markets this week, Triple-A reports the average price of gas in Iowa is hovering around 2-95 a gallon.