This is an unfortunate reality all across the country, just Google "Police staffing low" and you'll find plenty of similar stories elsewhere. I think there are several factors involved but the largest by far is politics (fueled by a heavily biased, agenda focused media) and the demonization of law enforcement over the past 10 years. All I ever wanted to be groing up was a LEO like my father and uncle. Now I'd do anything to dissuade my children from following the same path.
https://fox59.com/2019/01/09/impd-staffing-evens-out-in-2018-with-110-hires-departures/
https://fox59.com/2019/01/09/impd-staffing-evens-out-in-2018-with-110-hires-departures/