Charleston - Huntington, West Virginia -- WOWK -- 13NewsClay commissioners demand Sheriff's Department resume enforcement of traffic laws

Progress was made Wednesday in getting Clay County deputies back on traffic patrols.

Clay County commissioners Wednesday said they will file an official demand that the Sheriff's Department resume enforcing traffic laws. State Police also agreed to send a breathalyzer to the sheriff's department, easing concerns over transferring criminals 17 to 20 miles outside of town.

Sheriff Randy Holcomb announced Feb. 17 that the department would no longer enforce routine traffic laws or investigate traffic wrecks because of a lack of equipment and a lack of prosecution for offenses.

Holcomb said the county Prosecutor's Office isn't doing its job when it comes to prosecuting crimes. He points to records showing three out of every five criminal cases were dismissed in the county last year.

Commissioners said they would schedule meeting with the sheriff about the issue. They asked the county attorney to look at their options, but they would not discuss what those options might be.