Troopers steer toward community service during coronavirus pandemic

Lt. Angel Burgos, commander of the Bowling Green highway patrol post.

The Ohio State Patrol is seeing far less traffic on highways since the stay-at-home order issued by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

“Traffic has died down, but there’s still too much traffic on the interstate,” said Lt. Angel Burgos, commander of the Bowling Green patrol post.

Since the demands have lightened a bit on roadways, the troopers are helping meet community needs, Burgos said.

On Thursday, they were helping box up canned food for local senior citizens. Next week, the troopers will be helping to deliver that food to seniors’ homes throughout the county.

The state patrol has also helped by picking up medicine and delivering it to residents in need.

“We’re getting pretty creative” in ways to help out, Burgos said. “It’s just important to give back.”

During the stay-at-home orders, the troopers will not be pulling over motorists to see if they have valid reasons for being outside home.

“The highway patrol will not stop people for that. We’re asking people to use common sense,” Burgos said.