NORWICH – Citing an increase in violent crime and four open homicide cases on his docket, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph A. McBride requested additional staff Wednesday at a meeting of the county’s Personnel Committee.

“We are severely understaffed when you look at what the other counties in our area have,” he said. “It would be easier to do my job if I had a little bit more help in my office.”

McBride’s request would increase his staff from one full-time attorney to two, decrease the number of part-time attorneys from four to two, and increase his support staff from one to two. Neighboring Cortland County (population, 49,000) has four full-time attorneys, two part-time attorneys and four support staff. Delaware County (population, 48,000) has three full-time attorneys, no part-timers and two support staff.

The net increase for his department would be $26,000, he said. In a prepared statement to committee, McBride read: “This is the first time that I have asked the county to fund a position with additional local dollars. Previous additions to staff in my tenure have been almost wholly funded by grants from the State of New York.”