Ridgeville,SC - As the state continues to make budget cuts, towns and municipalities brace for change. And there is one small Dorchester county town that could loose big.

Ridgeville is a quiet little town. The big trucks make most of the noise. But when something does happen here, only one officer responds. The town has just two police officers who work around the clock.

"Sometimes we have to cut a day in half. Like I might say I'll work the first half of the day, you work the second half and I'll come back and work the third half," acting Ridgeville Police chief Quinton Joyner explained.

But Chief Joyner may soon have the whole shift to himself.

House members voted to slash nearly $50,000 from Ridgeville's budget which could cut this two man force down to one. 

“I've already notified everybody that it may happen. That we will have to make an adjustment, especially our officers," says Mayor James Williams.

The population here in Ridgeville is only about 1,700 and for a town this size the police force should include five officers and at one time it did and that was three years ago, according to the mayor.

"Some of them left to go to other agencies and we just started funneling down," Joyner said.

State senator Mike Rose said towns like Ridgeville shouldn't have to pay for services ordered by the state.

"If the state is not going to provide the money that it promised by statute then we will at least relieve the mandate,” Rose said.

Ridgeville residents want more police protection

"You can see it in their faces. You know when you pass by their house and they're glad to see you," Chief Joyner said.

And they fear what may happen if the force gets even smaller.

"I'm pretty sure it would be a crime if they know they don’t have anyone here," longtime Ridgeville resident James Carter said.

In the meantime, Chief Joyner is looking for grant money.

The $150,000 to $200,000 would allow me to at least hire two officers and put two cars on the road,” Joyner said.

That would assure the continued safety of this small town.

The senate hasn't voted on the proposed cuts yet.

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