The average person might not feel the effect of the federal shutdown, but there is a local impact.
Cranston Police Chief Marco Palombo Jr. said his department is coordinating with the federal Community Oriented Policing Services office to ensure funding for local officers hired under the program will remain intact.
"This has been the case in the past," Palombo said. "Any 'defunding' would impact the budget and requires immediate corrective action," he said.
Palombo said although nothing seems to be affected — for now — he will let everyone know the moment he learns anything.
The COPS Web site posted a bulletin yesterday announcing they have enough resources to keep running until Oct 4.
"This means that COPS staff will be available to assist grantees, stakeholders, and the public during this period," the notice states. "If the lapse extends through the weekend COPS will need to reassess its funding situation and will keep grantees informed."
Meanwhile, over at the Rhode Island National Guard headquarters at New London Avenue in Cranston, 300 of the guard's 425 civilian workers were furloughed yesterday.
A spokesman told the Providence Journal that the employees are technicians, which means mechanics, office administrators and other non-essential workers, but includes "some very high up in the chain of command."
300 of the guard's active military staff were not affected.
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