WESTOVER, Md.- Would you feel safe knowing there were fewer officers on patrol at night? Probably not. But that is the concern facing some Somerset County residents. Due to recent budget cuts, the Somerset County Sheriff's Office eliminated the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m..

For the past five years, Fulton Collins has lived along Route 413 with his wife and four boys. Collins said his only concern is trying to keep them away from the road.

"Route 413 is kind of busy every now and then," Collins said.

But news of budget problems at the Sheriff's Office has some of Collins's neighbors on edge. The Sheriff's Office recently cut back on overtime, leaving no deputies on patrol at night. Westover resident Linda lawson said the cuts have her concerned.

"One reason I wanted to move to Westover was because the police department was right up the street," Lawson said.

Now due to the budget issues at the Sherriff's Office, other jurisdictions will have to pick up the night calls. Sheriff Bobby Jones said a lot happens at inlcuding calls for break-ins, destruction of property, and prowling. Maryland State Police say that depending on the location of its troopers, response times to the neighboring areas could range from 30 seconds to 20 minutes.

Jones said recent cutbacks are just a sign of the times and that there is not enough money to keep a constant police presence. Jones did not know an exact number of calls his office usually gets for the night shift. The sheriff did say a lot happens after dark, which does not make some people feel any better about the cut.

"I wish the police would reconsider their cutbacks because it's scary to know that they aren't close by when the department is right there," Lawson said.