BENZIE CO. -- 7&4 News is continuing our series Government in Crisis. It's been about eight months since Benzie County Commissioners cut $600,000 dollars from its budget. Half of those cuts came from the sheriff's office.

With more cuts looming for the upcoming fiscal year, Sheriff Rory Heckman says enough is enough. In fact, he won't be running for re-election because of lack of support he says he is getting from county commissioners.

7&4's Lauren Amstutz spoke with him Wednesday about how these cuts are impacting the community.

Sheriff Heckman says, "I just don't know what more we can do. It's frustrating."

Benzie County Sheriff Rory Heckman says cuts in his county are too deep and he is worried about keeping the public safe.

Sheriff Heckman says, "I have a county board that tells me here is the money, you have to do your job. It's difficult."

Budget cuts cost him 4 deputies and there is only one detective to work every case. The county also doesn't have a patrol officer on the road between 3 a.m. And 7 a.m.

Sheriff Heckman says, "Local residents think the State Police are out there if the sheriff's not. No. Nobody is out there. They need to be alarmed and say this isn't acceptable."

Area business owners say criminals are catching on. One local car dealership was robbed overnight twice in the past couple months.

Watson Benzie Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram, Sales Manager, Gus Batsikouras says, "They stole tires off of our Jeeps. We had to get a new security system since police can't be on the roads watching for us. It's frustrating."