The State Senate has approved a new way for county sheriffs to raise money for equipment and undercover investigations. But it has moved to make sure the new law does not create a lot of speed traps. The County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund would be financed by restitution payments from offenders. The law says themoney can be used for such things as narcotics investigations, prevention and intervention and to purchase equipment not otherwise financed by the county government. The bill says counties cannot cut the sheriff’s budget because of the extra money going into the special fund. In fact, the county can have little control of it. A specialboard of trustees will be picked to run the program. The proposal has been sent to the House.
