The Massachusetts State Police are now responsible for protecting the residents of a small town in Massachusetts after its entire four-member police department resigned on Monday, citing unsafe work conditions.
In a resignation letter submitted to city officials on Monday, the entirety of the Blandford Police Department — which consisted of Interim Police Chief Roberta Sarnacki and three officers — said they simply could not continue to serve because of inadequate and decrepit equipment that put their lives in danger.
“The officers said the town’s police cruisers are in such bad shape they often have to answer calls in their personal vehicles,” Boston CBS reports. “They said their police radios don’t work in some parts of the town and bulletproof vests are beyond their expiration dates and fit poorly to begin with.”
Here’s what the now-defunct department posted on Facebook:
The Massachusetts State Police assured residents in a statement Tuesday that they would fill the gap left by the Blandford PD.
“The residents of Blandford may be assured that the State Police will continue to protect their community,” read the statement published by CBS.
