The streets may soon be clear of ALE.
North Carolina is considering eliminating the state Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement in order to cut costs. The N.C. House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee considered a proposal to cut ALE—along with 70 other potential cuts to the state’s public safety and justice programs—last Tuesday. The proposal was created by Republican legislative staffers and aims to trim costs, including closing some prisons and drug treatment centers. The proposal went before the budget subcommittee of the Senate’s appropriations on justice and public safety committee, though it is not yet determined when the committee will vote.
Cutting ALE would save the state approximately $9.5 million and cut 137 jobs, though its elimination could mean more work for the state, as police officers and other resources would have to compensate for the loss of ALE’s specialization, said Thomas Caves, special assistant to the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and is a legislative liaison for the department.
“In bad economic times, [legislative staff members] look at many options and show legislators ways to save money,” Caves said. “The ALE elimination would be a hugely problematic option.”
Read the full story at the Duke Chronicle.
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