PURCELLVILLE, Va (DC News Now)-- Efforts continued Saturday to collect more signatures for petitions to recall four Purcellville town leaders. The targets are Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice-Mayor Carl "Ben" Nett, and Council Members Susan Khalil and Carol Luke. The final straw appears to be this week's decision by the town council to eliminate the police department. Maryland man wrongfully deported reportedly “alive and secure” in El Salvador "We're not okay with that. So we're going to try to make an impact," said Justin Otley, who signed the petition. The council voted 4-2 Tuesday night to start the process of cutting the department that has been part of Purcellville, since its creation in 1908. "I feel betrayed by what's happened recently," described Dan Reed. Bertaut is among those who want the police department gone, and replaced full-time by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. He says sheriff's deputies already patrol the town. "They cover the off hours that cover 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., when most serious crime is likely to occur," Beertaut said following Wednesday's workshop meeting. The move is expected to save the town at least $3 million a year. "Residents are furious, and rightfully so," said Council Member Caleb Stought, who opposes the plan. He was out of town for Tuesday's meeting. Stought believes the town could pay a higher price to bring back the police department if it is cut. "Any officers who leave to get out of their jobs because they have to feed their families and put food on the table," Stought said. "It's going to take a long time to bring those staffing numbers back up to where they are currently." Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman's very early talks have taken place to determine how his office could patrol the town full-time. There appear to be other problems. "We have a leased facility with the contract," explained Council Member Erin Rayner, who voted against the plan. "We have leased vehicles, we have leased equipment. We have a lot of things that go into what makes a police department." The April 22 meeting is the earliest a final vote on cutting the police department can take place. If approved, it could take several months to at least a year before closing. ...read more read less