ST. HELENS, Ore. -- Budget cuts proposed in Columbia County may leave its sheriff's office with only three deputies, leading residents to express concern Thursday about their safety.

A full house packed the board of commissioner's meeting Thursday night for a public hearing.

Sheriff Jeff Dickerson said he's frustrated with the situation. He said he hopes the county will postpone repaving the courthouse parking lot in order to save a deputy.

"Part of preserving the peace is deterring crime," he said. "Well, there's no way you're going to do that with three deputies."

Residents shared his concerns over the county budget.

"It makes me nervous. I'm a father of two and if we don't have the people watching over us when we need, it could be a real big issue," said Kevin Griffith, who lives in St. Helens.

Under the plan, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office would lose nearly 10 deputies and have only three deputies remaining to serve the county.

The proposed cuts have many worrying about their safety.

"Safety has got to be No. 1. If you're not safe in your home (or) your community, that affects your quality of life," said Monica Cade, who lives in Columbia County.

The board of commissioners did not make a decision on the budget Thursday, but a budget must be in place by the end of the month.