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Sheriff'sBlog
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Wednesday, 17 June 2009 |
I want to extend my appreciation to the Mayor and County Commission for working with the BCSO over the past two budget years to accomplish and phase in some critical law enforcement needs. Their unanimous vote to approve the acquisition of 10 much-needed new patrol vehicles is greatly appreciated and shows their understanding and support of public safety for all county residents.
These new vehicles will allow us to retire 10 of the most road-weary patrol cars from the BCSO fleet. In some cases, deputies are still operating vehicles with excess of 150,000 miles on them, but progress has been made. Bradley County is spread out over a 333-square-mile area and the men and women in patrol and our other divisions need safe and reliable vehicles to cover that ground, respond to emergencies, assistance one another, answer calls for service, transport prisoners, serve warrants, protect schools, etc.
The mayor and commissioners were also helpful regarding the issue of outside medical care for inmates. While most inmate medical care is handled on site through our contracted healthcare provider, there are occasions when an inmate may need to be taken to the emergency room or admitted to a hospital to receive a higher level of care. Because of the unpredictable nature of such occasions, trying to budget for them was little more than guesswork.
In a spirit of cooperation, Mayor Gary Davis, myself, EMS Director Danny Lawson, County Attorney Joe Byrd and administrators from SkyRidge Medical Center all sat down to discuss the issue and come up with a working solution that is fair to all parties concerned, including the Bradley County taxpayers. It was a productive meeting and resulted in SkyRidge agreeing to an additional 10 percent discount for any medical care an inmate may require at SRMC. This is in addition to the 50 percent discount they already give the county. The annual savings could well be in the tens of thousands of dollars. I thank SkyRidge Administrator Coleman Foss for his assistance.
The BCSO has done well in saving money and even returning money to the General Fund at the end of each budget year since I have been sheriff. Through cooperation and managing resources better, we achieved a 6 percent reduction in crime for 2008, and so far this year, that trend seems to be continuing, and we achieved this without the need for any tax increase, which has always been my goal.
Policy-making and budgeting is sometimes difficult due to limited resources and competing interests. It is inevitable that differences in opinion will arise when managing a progressive community the size of Bradley County. That is the nature of government. However, I know all of us ~ the mayor, the commission and sheriff’s office ~ want what is best for Bradley County, without tax increases. The fact is, we have seen tremendous growth over the past few years and we are positioned, economically, better than a lot of communities around the country. This is due to the cooperation and shared vision of our citizens, our business community and our local government.
Again, I extend my thanks to the mayor and commission for their help in a tight budget year. While we weren’t able to get everything that is needed, we are making phase-in progress without the need for more taxes. I am hopeful next year our growth revenue will be stronger and our much-deserving employees will receive a pay increase then. We have, however, made some progress in this area as well, and the result is lower turnover and a greater ability to attract and retain quality employees.
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Thursday, 11 June 2009 |
I believe in using the latest technology to advance and improve communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the Bradley County community. In addition to a weekly newspaper column and radio show, the BCSO has developed one of the best web sites in Tennessee. Our web site contains blogs, news stories, press releases, information about the jail, information about the BCSO and the various departments within the BCSO, past events, upcoming events, an impressive photo gallery and much more.
Also, a couple of years ago, we began posting video pod casts to our web site. These pod casts are a terrific way for me (and others here at the BCSO) to speak directly to the public via video about issues concerning local public safety with accurate, unfiltered communication.
The latest communication feature we have added to the BCSO web site is “Twitter.” Twitter is a world-wide, micro blogging and social networking service that has been around since 2006, and has become increasingly more popular with each passing year. A “tweet” is actually a short message ~ no more than 140 characters ~ posted at a specific Twitter web address. Tweets are generally no more than a sentence or two and are designed to offer quick, concise updates to others who subscribe to the free service.
Why Twitter? Twitter is up-to-date, allows the BCSO to instantly reach thousands of citizens with timely and important information such as storm warnings, road closures, searches for fugitives and missing persons, arrests and other information. This tool will also help multiply our force without any cost to the taxpayer.
It’s amazing how I regularly hear from people all over the country on issues posted at our web site. The Internet is a powerful tool. So to those who say why Twitter? I say, why not Twitter? It is immediate and provides us the ability to reach large numbers of people quickly on issues involving public safety. I invite you all to click on the “Breaking news alert” link on the BCSO web site and follow the steps to sign up.
On another note, I would like to express appreciation to County Mayor Gary Davis for recognizing the BCSO’s need for safe and reliable patrol vehicles. He recommended the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office receive ten new patrol cars in the new budget to replace ten of the older vehicles with over 250,000 miles on them that deputies are currently being required to use. These old cars can jeopardize the safety of our patrol deputies and mechanical failures can also compromise the safety of citizens in need of assistance.
Ten cars are needed this year and I appreciate Mayor Davis and his support on this issue. I am hopeful the full commission will support this effort as well.
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 05 June 2009 |
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I have long been an advocate for the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, in accordance with our Second Amendment right. A well-armed citizenry is one of the best defenses against crime.
Our elected representatives in Nashville recently proposed legislation that would allow qualified citizens to carry firearms into state parks, restaurants and other places that serve alcohol, provided the carrier does not drink. They are to be commended for their pro-gun position, as well as for overriding the governor’s veto of that gun bill.
I support self-defense rights and every law-abiding citizen deserves the option of protecting themselves, even in those places where alcohol is being served, as long as they, themselves, are not consuming alcohol.
I believe carrying a sidearm is much like operating a vehicle ~ it must be done responsibly. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol because an impaired driver becomes a danger to themselves and others on the road. This analogy holds true with gun ownership. As soon as a person is under the influence of alcohol while carrying a gun, they become a danger to themselves and others. It is not the car that is the danger and it is not the gun that is the danger, it is the impaired or irresponsible operator or carrier who is the danger. I have a proven record of supporting gun rights, and this record was noted in American Rifleman magazine last November when I defended a homeowner who used his firearm to protect himself. I will continue to uphold and advocate that Second Amendment right for all qualified citizens. The operative word there is “qualified.” As a law enforcement professional, I am well aware that people can be dangerous who use guns inappropriately. That is why I encourage everyone who owns a gun or who is thinking of buying a gun to take gun safety classes and practice proper usage. I also encourage folks to only purchase safe, reliable, functional weapons from reputable firearms dealers, and go through the proper channels of securing permits and knowledge of the law. The BCSO offers gun safety and training courses. If you are interested in taking our gun safety course, contact Cathy Ruth at 728 7301. She will arrange for you to receive all the information you need. Although the course is free to Bradley County residents, a $5 fee is required for use of the shooting range. It is every individual’s Constitutional right to own and carry a firearm for sport or personal protection unless in certain areas prohibited by law (such as courtrooms and presidential venues) or illegal or irresponsible actions on their part preclude them from that right. |
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 29 May 2009 |
With Alzheimer's sufferers, nothing can be taken for granted. Every case is different and sufferers can react differently in various situations. Although there have been advances in medicine that slows the onset of the disease, Alzheimer's remains a perplexing and frustrating illness. Most people associate it with old age, but the disease can affect any age group.
For law enforcement officers, it is extremely important to recognize the difference between an Alzheimer's victim and someone who is simply belligerent or uncooperative. The BCSO has a good record of identifying Alzheimer's patients and responding appropriately.
Several years ago, the BCSO began regular in-service training designed to help deputies better understand the problems of mental health issues as they relate to law enforcement. Strictly speaking, Alzheimer's is not a mental illness ~ it is a physical disease that attacks and eventually destroys certain functions of the brain. However, for the sake of their own safety and the safety of others, the BCSO includes Alzheimer's in our mental health training to help deputies recognize the difference between medical disorders and disorderly conduct.
This is important because a common behavioral trait with Alzheimer's sufferers is “combativeness” and “wandering.” A patient can wander about in their room or in the yard, but too often they can wander away from supervised care or controlled environments. They can become aggressive and combative toward those who are trying to help.
Alzheimer's victims are often described as being “childlike” in their helplessness. For that reason, it makes sense for anyone caring for an Alzheimer's victim to implement some of the same safeguards used to protect children. Don’t leave sufferers alone, for one thing. Also, have their fingerprints and a recent photograph available in the event a search and rescue situation arises.
Of the five million-plus Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, seventy percent live at home in the community. To assist law enforcement in protecting sufferers, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed an outreach and training program called, “Approaching Alzheimer’s: Make your first response the right response.” This program provides strategies for dealing with Alzheimer’s sufferers, as well as others who suffer from dementia-type diseases. It is a valuable resource law enforcement personnel, paramedics, fire fighters, disaster relief personnel and other first responders.
To learn more about the program or to access other information about Alzheimer's, go to their web site ~ http://alz.org ~ or call 1-800-272-3900. A local Alzheimer's support group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. in the Hiwassee Room of Skyridge Medical Center. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Their mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.” |
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 22 May 2009 |
This past week, the entire country took time to acknowledge National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This is a day set aside to officially recognize and pay tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who have fallen in the line of duty.
And thank God we have those who are willing to serve and make a difference. The scriptures tell us two things about those who serve like this:
First, in Romans 13, God Himself recognized the necessity and importance of such service and instructed us to pay tribute to those engaged in the public service for they are God’s ministers ordained by Him to do good works against evil.
And second, in Matthew 5:9, Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
You can see why our God in Heaven would give such instruction; for, without those willing to serve and put on the badge, who else would there be to do those things mentioned in the law enforcement code of ethics? To protect and serve? To protect the innocent against deception, to protect the weak against oppression and intimidation? To protect the peaceful from violence, to restore order from chaos, and to uphold the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice?
The bottom line is, without those willing to serve, and at times put their very lives on the line for others, our community would be a much different and darker place. And while no law enforcement officer is perfect and no living law enforcement officer considers themselves a hero, it has been said that out of adversity heroes are born. Heroes have, in just recent days across our nation, pulled people from burning wrecks, found lost children, protected battered and abused women, saved lives with CPR, recovered bodies for loved ones, removed drug dealers and child molesters from the streets, stopped drunk drivers, kept drugs out of the hands of youth, prevented shootings and rescued hostages.
And without a doubt, those whose names appear on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC are in every sense of the word heroes to their communities and those they served.
The scriptures also say, “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend.” Truly, each of the 49 officers who have fallen since the beginning of this year, and all those before them, were friends to their communities
Whether they wore a shield representing strength and courage or a star representing goodness, bravery and light, to make the ultimate sacrifice so others may live better lives makes them worthy of hero status and our full respect and admiration.
Behind every name listed on the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, there was a real flesh and blood person who loved and was loved ~ a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a wife, a husband ... ordinary in their physical being, yet extraordinary in their actions, sense of duty and love.
Let each of us resolve to remember their sacrifice and support those who continue to serve and make our community a better place. May God bless and protect all the men and women who wear the badge.
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