Georgetown, Del., Nov. 28, 2006: More troopers will be on patrol in Sussex County in the coming year, thanks to the continuing partnership of the Sussex County Council and the Delaware State Police.

During the County Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, Sussex County Council President Lynn J. Rogers presented to state police Superintendent Col. Thomas MacLeish a ceremonial check for $1.4 million. That is the amount Sussex County has budgeted to pay the State of Delaware in Fiscal Year 2007 for additional state police coverage within the county.

Sussex County on Tuesday made its first quarterly payment for Fiscal 2007, totaling $460,180, which will pay for new equipment, such as police cruisers, and a portion of the salaries of 32 troopers. The Fiscal 2007 contract calls for 32 additional troopers to be assigned to the county – four more than was called for in the 2006 contract.

In all, the 32 troopers are above the normal complement assigned to troops within Sussex County. The county funds help to pay for new equipment, too. Seven new police vehicles will be purchased through the contract.

Officials said the partnership that dates to the mid-1990s is an economical and viable means to provide additional police protection for the county.

“This continues the great working relationship we and the state police have enjoyed for the last 10 years,” President Rogers said. “This commitment shows the concern Sussex County Council has in ensuring the continued safety of the county and its citizens.”