Sergeant Danielle Patrick takes pride in patrolling the streets and protecting the public.

"Public safety's number one." She said.

But she fears that number one priority may be in jeopardy. Patrick works for the Delhi Division of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office, which is paid for by Delhi Township. The Township just cut three deputies from the payroll for 2010.

"It's going to mean longer response times if there's a problem."

That's just the beginning. Webberville is also cutting one deputy from it's contract and the parks department is getting rid of it's officer. Combine that with the 13 positions eliminated by County cuts and you've got 18 fewer people working for the Sheriff's Office in 2010.

"If theres an emergency in the other part of the County we might not make it there for hours." Said Undersheriff Allan Spyke. He warns it will get even worse.

"The 2011 budget year looks even more grim than this, which means we'll probably be reduced to the point where we're no longer a 24 hour operation."

So the sheriff sent a letter to every rural township official in the area explaining the situation and asking them to pay the sheriffs office for patrols.

"The people in the general law townships are going to have to act quickly and respond to our pleas for them to contract with us." Spyke explained.

Or else he says protecting the public may be a thing of the past.

The good news is the sheriff's department will not have to lay off any current officers. The positions they're losing were vacant-- and waiting to be filled.