Associated Press Published

West Virginia State Police Closing 3 Detachments at Year End

WV State Police Cruiser

West Virginia State Police detachments in three locations are closing at the end of the year. The agency said Tuesday Grantsville, Elizabeth and Hundred will close.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the Grantsville detachment in Calhoun County will be covered by the Clay and Glenville detachments. The Elizabeth detachment in Wirt County will be covered by the Parkersburg detachment. The Hundred detachment in Wetzel County will be covered by the Paden City detachment.

Superintendent Col. Jay Smithers said it’s not economically feasible to keep a detachment in each community. But he said the state police will continue providing professional law enforcement.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin last week ordered state agencies to cut spending by 2 percent in order to save $59.8 million and help make up for the general revenue fund falling behind by $87 million as of July.