Carroll County Sheriff's Office Taking Over State Police Duties

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office will be responding to a majority of county 911 calls starting July 1, taking more responsibility for local incidents instead of the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack. 

The decision was made in February to replace some of the state police presence with increased sheriff's responsibilities over the next three years, according to Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard. 

"The transition is on schedule as planned, and by the second year we will see significant savings," said Howard in an earlier . "We will see a savings of over $3.7 million a year by years three and four." 

About 40 Maryland state troopers assigned to the county will be transferred to other areas of the state. 

The new agreement applies to "Carroll County-owned or operated institutions and facilities, county-owned roadways, and residential areas excluding incorporated municipalities," according to a news release. 

The sheriff's office will also take over the monitoring of registered sex offenders and will start organizing the local D.A.R.E. program to give kids the skills they need to avoid involvement with drugs, gangs, and violence.