COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP): Deputies in a southern Indiana city will work longer weekend shifts as part of an effort to increase law enforcement presence on those days.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers says his department is launching a three-month pilot program in which deputies will work 12-hour weekend shifts. The experiment will yers says the idea stemmed from changes in jail staffing that moved those employees to 12-hour shifts about eight years ago.

The sheriff's department hopes the changes allow it to put more deputies on the road, improve service and provide more backup.