The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has received the results of our annual audit from the Tennessee State Comptroller’s Office and I am pleased to report that state auditors once again confirmed the BCSO is a well-run and well-managed operation. According to the audit, all BCSO property and monies were accounted for and all BCSO expenditures made, were made for official purposes and in accordance with the law.

State auditors did make a recommendation that we implement a few minor, procedural adjustments that would better separate administrative duties, but they also acknowledged that such adjustments would most likely require more staff than we currently have. That is not an uncommon recommendation for audits of this type, but I think it is important because it clearly shows how well our existing administrative staff does in multitasking. They routinely exceed their job descriptions and most are always willing to go that extra mile, take on extra duties and put in those extra hours with limited financial resources.

I extend to all BCSO employees ~ law enforcement, Corrections, administration and otherwise ~ my sincere thanks for their dedication to this office and the citizens of Bradley County. I commend them for a job well done.

July revenues generated by the BCSO for the Bradley County General Fund totaled $233,278.30. The bulk of this money came from housing state inmates ($112,805) and the county’s federal contract ($117,757.60), and does not include the monthly billings for the jail phone system and commissary ~ those figures are late coming in. This is an especially strong showing as it represents the beginning of fiscal year 2009. The BCSO averages over $4 million into the General Fund each year, which helps off-set expenses and saves taxpayer money.

I receive a number of inquiries from citizens who express concern about the problem of illegal aliens in Bradley County. A lot of people are probably not aware that the BCSO has identified 37 illegal aliens so far this year and all of them were sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation. So we have been vigilant and responsive to the problem.

However, I am pleased to announce a new program that will help us become even more effective. The BCSO is now part of the Federal Criminal Alien Program which is offered by ICE. This program makes it easier for us to identify criminal illegals who are incarcerated, helps ensure illegals are not released back into the community after serving their sentence and opens the door for their deportation.

Over the past several years, there has been a noticeable increase in criminal offenders booked into the jail who cannot provide a driver’s license, social security card or any other authenticated immigration papers. Under this new program, Corrections deputies can routinely check the citizenship or immigration status of all new inmates booked into the jail. If, during the booking process, there are any questions as to the legality of an inmate’s status, we can now perform a more comprehensive background check through the ICE computer network. When a determination is made that an inmate is in this country illegally, ICE will file a federal detainer allowing us to hold the individual for pick-up by federal agents. Also, when a federal detainer is filed, the detainee becomes ineligible for bond. By law, we can only hold an illegal alien for 48 hours after the judicial process, so it is up to federal authorities to do their job and pick them up for deportation proceedings in a timely manner.

 I am happy to report that during the month of August, the BCSO Patrol and Criminal Investigation divisions served 296 civil warrants and 346 criminal warrants. That is a very good figure considering the time and trouble it can take for deputies to serve warrants, not to mention the potential for harm desperate criminals pose when they are determined not to be served. Criminals will do anything they can to avoid service and they are often aided by friends and families. I am especially proud of the job they are doing, considering the limited manpower and resources they have to work with.

Also during the month of August, our very successful inmate work program landscaped Black Fox Elementary, cleaned the fence line at Taylor Elementary, performed routine maintenance and lawn and garden care at the Justice Center and garage, assisted with BCSO fleet maintenance and repairs, continued cultivating the vegetable garden they planted last spring, and picked up litter along roadways all over Bradley County. The garden has been a great success, producing fresh vegetables to supplement meals at the jail.

The inmates involved in this program are low-risk and under constant supervision. I am especially proud of the work they do because their efforts are proving to be a savings to taxpayers and a great help to the inmates themselves. Many prisoners are anxious to do something constructive during their incarceration and we are yet to have one abuse the program. My thanks to Dep. Jon Parker, Capt. Gabe Thomas and everyone else involved in the inmate work program for their hard and productive work.Statistics show that a very common trait shared by most criminals is the lack of education. The BCSO is actively involved in a program called “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.” This organization is made up of sheriffs, police chiefs, prosecutors, law enforcement leaders and survivors of violent crime. According to Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 70 percent of criminals incarcerated in jails and prisons never graduated from high school. This establishes a clear correlation between the school dropout rate and crime.

In Tennessee, three out of 10 high school students do not graduate on time. Dropouts are almost four times more likely to be arrested and more than eight times more likely to be incarcerated than those who graduate from high school. Dropouts earn less, have fewer opportunities for advancement, pay fewer taxes, are more likely to collect welfare and are more likely to turn to a life of crime.

If we could increase the graduation rate in Tennessee by only 10 percent, statistics indicate we could cut the rate of murders and assaults in this state by 20 percent. That 10 percent graduation increase could also serve as a boon to taxpayers, saving an estimated $365 million each year. Of that amount, $265 million would be saved simply from a reduction in crime.

We are fortunate in Bradley County to have high quality schools and teachers. But like so many other vital public service organizations, our schools struggle constantly with limited resources and manpower. We are also fortunate to have invaluable early education programs, Head Start, Pre K and others. These programs have proven to increase the chances that at-risk children will adapt well to school, keep up with other students, graduate from high school, attend college and build productive, law-abiding lives for themselves and their own children. The old saying, “Education is an investment in our future” is not just a slogan ~ studies prove it to be the truth.

I would also like to remind everyone that the second annual Sheriff’s Family Day is coming up on Saturday, October 11th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM., at Stuart School (Keith & 20th). In addition to free food, live entertainment, bouncy air toys, horseback rides and a host of other activities, exhibits and displays, this outdoor event is designed to promote a strong pro-community and anti-drug message. I am glad to announce that we will have Nashville recording artist Davey Smith headlining at Family Day this year. You may remember Davey headlining at the Block Party. He was so well-received we asked him to come perform for Family Day and he said he would love to. I hope you, your family and your friends will come out and spend the day with us.

Also, if there are any non-profit, charitable and public service organizations that would like to be a part of this year’s Family Day in order to distribute public service information, they should contact Jennifer Johnson (728-7304) to see if their group qualifies. But do it soon, as space is limited and time is running out. Mark your calendars now because you do not want to miss it.

There is also still space available for the new BCSO Citizens Academy, so come by the Justice Center and pick up an application today, or download an application from the BCSO web site. The cut-off date for accepting applications is December 1st, and classes will begin on January 20th, so don’t delay. The Citizens Academy is free, but class size is limited to the first 25 qualified applicants. Criminal history checks will be done on all applicants before they will be accepted into the program and anyone with a felony conviction will not be allowed to participate. To learn more, call Lt. Eddie Scoggins (423-728-7330) or Sgt. Gwen Beavers (423-728-7319), or visit the BCSO web site.

For more information about the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, visit our web site often at: www.bradleysheriff.com. You can also contact us by calling (423) 7287300, or writing to: Bradley County Justice Center, 2290 Blythe Ave., SE, Cleveland TN 37311. If you would like to reach me directly, email me: comments@bradleysheriff.com

 It is time once again for the big Sheriff’s Family Day celebration, which is a family-friendly, outdoor event with a strong anti-drug message. This year, the Sheriff’s Family Day will take place on Saturday, October 11th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM., at Stuart School (Keith & 20th). Mark your calendars now because you do not want to miss it.

Last year, media estimates put the Sheriff’s Family Day attendance between 3,000 and 5,000, and this year promises to be even larger. It is our way of calling attention to the dangers of illegal drugs and promoting positive community and family values.

As always, there is no charge to attend Family Day and we will have free food, live entertainment, show cars and motorcycles, horseback rides, a climbing wall, hayrides, bouncy air toys and much, much more, including plenty of door prizes and free giveaways. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets, make yourself comfortable and have fun. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and enjoy some shade tree picking.

Family Day will also feature plenty of local public service organizations’ vehicles and exhibits, including the BCSO “Tank.” The Life Force helicopter is also scheduled to touch down again this year. Life Force is always a big hit with the kids and it’s a thrill watching it land and take off. We will also be offering parents an opportunity to have their children photographed and fingerprinted. This has proven to be an invaluable tool in safely resolving child abductions.

Any non-profit, charitable and public service organizations that may wish to be a part of this year’s Family Day to distribute public service information should contact Jennifer Johnson (728-7304) to see if their group qualifies. But do it soon, as space is limited and time is running out.

I want to also extend an invitation to all elected officials ~ city and county ~ to come out for Family Day and spend time with citizens. Although we will be offering non-partisan voter registration, the Sheriff’s Family Day is not a political event and there will not be any political speeches. But it is an excellent opportunity for public officials to be introduced and keep in touch with their constituents in person. I hope everyone serving in public office will come spend the day with us.

So mark October 11 on your calendar and we’ll see you at the second annual Sheriff’s Family Day.

Another reminder: Coming up in January we will begin our first Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy: “It shall be the mission of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office to provide the students of the Citizens Academy with an educational law enforcement experience that will enhance the understanding of the law enforcement profession.  Our goal is to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of those in attendance by performing these duties with integrity, respect, fairness and professionalism.” ~ Mission Statement of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy

There is still room available in the new BCSO Citizens Academy, so come by the Justice Center and pick up your application as soon as possible. Cut-off date is December 1st. Classes will begin on January 20th, 2009, and run through March 24th. Citizens Academy classes will be Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will be held at the Justice Center unless otherwise stated in the Academy packet.

The Citizens Academy is free, but class size is limited to the first 25 qualified applicants. Criminal history checks will be done on all applicants before they will be accepted into the program and anyone with a felony conviction will not be allowed to participate.

The purpose of the Citizens Academy is to strengthen the BCSO’s partnership with the community and enhance public understanding of law enforcement, including Constitutional and criminal law, landmark case rulings, warrants and searches, domestic violence, canines, use of force, booking procedures, budgeting, fleet management, accreditation and numerous other issues that people may not be not familiar with. Citizens will have an opportunity to meet the sheriff, the command staff and deputies, as well as tour the Justice Center, the 911 Center and various divisions of the BCSO, and become acquainted with some of the programs within the BCSO designed to further protect and educate youngsters, such as the SRO program, the Explorers and LEAF Academy.

This is an excellent opportunity for Bradley County citizens to learn more about how county law enforcement works. I look forward to meeting everyone who signs up.

You can download an application packet for the Citizens Academy at the BCSO web site or pick one up here at the Justice Center. If you would like further information, call Lt. Eddie Scoggins (423-728-7330) or Sgt. Gwen Beavers (423-728-7319).

For more information about the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and our various events, visit web site often. You can contact us by calling (423) 7287300, or writing to: Bradley County Justice Center, 2290 Blythe Ave., SE, Cleveland TN 37311. If you would like to reach me directly, email me: comments@bradleysheriff.com