By Chris Taylor
Cairo, IL – The Sheriff's Office in Alexander County, Illinois has returned five of its patrol cars to a bank after defaulting on the loans. This move comes two weeks after the law enforcement agency laid off 75% of its staff. Sheriff David Barkett tells WPSD his department is crippled by an out-of-control budget. The Sheriff's office reportedly has only two usable vehicles and the deputies still on staff have little ability to patrol or respond to calls. County Commissioners met Monday to decide which of the two major outstanding bills it would pay. One was to keep jail access and the other was to keep the squad cars. The five cars now sit out front of First National Bank in Cairo. Barkett reportedly traveled to Springfield yesterday to meet with state leaders asking for help.