Police run into shortage of ammo

America’s war on terror is affecting efforts at home to police communities.

Some police officials in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys are having problems in getting ammunition.

Salem Police Chief Robert Floor said there are backlogs on orders for all calibers of bullets used by the military. That includes 5.56 millimeter and 7.62 mm for rifles and 9mm for pistols used by the Salem department.

“Anything else is available,” Floor said. Money isn’t an issue: Floor said a two-year order for ammunition would cost the department $2,700. He said the backlog is a “mild slowdown.”

Some police departments have had to devise ways to cope with shortages.

“We’ve had difficulty over the last year getting .223 ammo for M-16s, it’s been a back order for us and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force Crisis Response Team,” said Detective William Blanchard, Youngstown Police Department fiscal officer. “It’s nothing major. We just try to plan a little better” in ordering.

Blanchard said there has also been difficulty in obtaining nonlethal practice ammo — they call it “simunition.” Other than that, there are no problems with ammo for officers’ .40-caliber service weapons and shotguns, he said.

Getting bullets has been a problem for East Liverpool Police Chief Michael McVay’s department. McVay said his department canceled a training shoot earlier this year with St. Clair Township police because of the shortage. East Liverpool did have its annual departmental shoot earlier this year, but fired fewer rounds.

Patrol officers were issued remaining new ammunition while nonpatrol officers, including the chief, are carrying ammunition that is more than a year old. McVay said the department’s order for .40-caliber pistol and .223-caliber rifle (also known as the 5.56 millimeter) has been delayed until January. The chief said there could be problems if the shortage continues into 2008.

Liberty Township Capt. Richard Tisone said his police department has had problems getting the .223-caliber rifle rounds and has been told there is at least a six-month backlog. The township has, however, created a stockpile by ordering early.

Tisone said the township will maintain that stockpile by shooting a lot less. He said officers previously would test shoot more than required by the state.

Poland Village Chief Russell Beatty said he stocked up on ammunition last year. Chief Brian Goodin of Poland Township said he hasn’t tried to order ammunition yet this year, but that there was a slight delay in getting some last year.

In Austintown, Lt. Bryan Kloss said the department is running low. The department placed an order more than a year ago and has not received it. Kloss said the shortage affects practice ammunition and ammunition for the service weapons.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com