Area police authorities said public safety hasn't been jeopardized by inflated fuel costs - at least yet.

But they are changing how they do business as gas costs rise without a break in sight.

The Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office is limiting how many miles deputies drive in a shift to about 230. The sheriff's office is spending about $9,000 on fuel every two weeks - that's double the cost it paid two years ago, according to the sheriff's recent budget figures.

Deputies are being told to do at least an hour and a half of foot patrol, said Lori Nebeker, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.

Calls are also being prioritized. For minor collisions, for example, city officials are asking citizens to come in and file reports rather than sending deputies out to a scene. County authorities are also asking people to come to the sheriff's office for vehicle identification number inspections when smaller vehicles are involved, Nebeker said.

Twin Falls city police officers are doubling up on cars, with patrol officers averaging about 1,000 miles of driving per month. Two officers on opposite work schedules often share a car, said Capt. Matt Hicks of the Twin Falls Police Department.

And if there's enough manpower on the street, two officers may go tandem in one car for a shift. "A high number of calls require two officers anyway. It helps cut down on time to get there and gas," said Hicks, adding, "we don't do it at the risk of providing less service."

Area police leaders aren't expecting gas prices to fall anytime soon. Hicks said his department is exploring the possibility of more fuel efficient vehicles for the city's police fleet including motorcycles for patrol and possibly hybrid vehicles for detectives.

Jerome city police are trying not to idle their engines. "It wouldn't be practical for us to double up on a vehicle," said Dan Hall, Jerome Police Chief. "For a small department, if we double up, we cut patrol down by a third."

Hall said because the department is running over on its fuel budget it's whittling down costs for office supplies. Hall's also watching the training budget. "We tried to scrutinize those types of purchases."

Idaho State Police in Jerome spend the second least amount of money on fuel compared to the rest of Idaho. Boise ranks at the top for ISP gas consumption followed by Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Jerome and Lewiston, said Steve Jones, ISP patrol major.

Gas consumption generally correlates to the number of officers working in the regions, he said. "So far we haven't implemented drastic measures like stationary patrol."

But in the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Jones said there were dire times. "Twice in my career â€- We have had to limit the number of miles troopers drove in a shift or required stationary patrol with engines off."

Since then, the number of troopers on Idaho's highways hasn't risen, he said, but calls for service have.

Last year, ISP spent about $400,000 more on gas than it budgeted - overall, fuel cost $717,000, said Jones. "We've had to cut other areas of the budget to accommodate rising fuel costs."

Cuts are now being seen in the state's 143-trooper force for training and travel. Out-of-state travel for conferences and training was eliminated during the past six months. In-state training requiring overnight stays or other travel expenses is being scrutinized, he said.

The future isn't looking good. Jones said even though ISP is projecting an increased fuel budget in the next fiscal year, it could still carry a $250,000 deficit.

Troopers aren't being told to double up, Jones said. "If things stay bad or get worse, it may be something we need to consider."