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