It may take a bit longer for State Trooper assistance in Crenshaw County.

But a reorganizing effort by the Alabama Department of Public Safety (ADPS) is intended to make calls more efficient.

According to ADPS Col. Mike Coppage the department recently restructured Highway Patrol troops and Alabama Bureau of Investigation areas to improve efficiency and create a more effective command structure.

As a result of the restructuring, Highway Patrol will increase from six to seven troop headquarters. A Dothan post, previously part of the Montgomery troop will be formed and referred to as Troop F. It will comprise of Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties.

Crenshaw County Sheriff Charles West believes the restructuring will still keep state troopers tearing up the roadways.

"It's going to put us short," West said. "There's going to be a lot of times the troopers are on the roads."

Coppage said the changes were made in an attempt to improve public safety service.

"We want to ensure that our command structure facilitates the work of Public Safety's employees from top to bottom."

ABI operations will also be realigned under the changes. There will now be five geographical areas instead of six, each assigned to the northern central and southern regional commands.

Coppage said no offices will be closed under the changes. No physical relocation of offices will occur either.

"The impact of these changes will be more effective command and better supervision," he said. "Within both Highway Patrol and ABI, the reorganization will provide more manageable areas and enhance command efficiency. That translates into increased efficiency across the board."