The town of Spring Lake has less full-time law enforcement beginning tonight and that has some residents concerned with response time and public safety.

 The town's Board of Alderman voted Monday to fund its own police force rather than foot the bill for more full-time protection from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

 The Sheriff’s Department pulled its mobile command unit out of Spring Lake Tuesday afternoon.

 From now on, four deputies will patrol Spring Lake, two in each patrol zone covering parts of the town as well as the county.

 “Our citizens are safe, the Sheriff has pledged to work with us,” said Spring Lake Mayor Ethel Clark.

 Interim-Police Chief Gregg Jarvies added, “The highway patrol agreed to help us with traffic patrol and crash investigation.”

Jarvies admits it is not optimal police coverage, "It's frustrating, but it's the best we can do."

 Jarvies has begun assessing each of the remaining 11 town officers to make sure their backgrounds are clear, they were hired under proper pretense and their training records are current.

 “It comes down to credibility,” said Jarvies, “credibility when they take the stand in court that everybody understands they’re telling the truth.”

The State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing felony charges against two Spring Lake Police Officers.

The town police chief resigned and the Justice System won’t recognize the town’s remaining officers who remain employed and are undergoing additional training.

To hear from residents and more from the ayor and interim chief, check out our NBC 17 News story in the video monitor above.