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COMMUNITY REPORT
Citizens, today all of us in our community are at a crossroad in which
the safety and the way of life which we all enjoy in Fairfield county
is in peril due to financial constrictions placed on the Office of
Sheriff. Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001 funding from the
Federal and State governments were diverted to homeland security and
further cuts in local government funding is coming. The County is not
immune from rising prices in the wake of these events. Just as your
personal expenses like insurance and fuel bills has risen so has the
bills at the County level. Unlike the Federal government the County can
not operate a deficit budget and must balance every year.
The elected officials and department heads knew several years ago that
the day of reckoning was approaching. Expenses were reduced but other
fee hikes or permissive tax increases were not approved. A special
election was held in February to increase the sales tax by half a cent.
This would have kept the funding level at 2004 levels and allow the
building of a new jail and 911 center. The
voters turned down the issue. By State law the Sheriff must operate the
jail and serve court processes. Common sense dictates that putting the
Sheriff's operation under one roof instead of the three buildings it
occupies now is the way to go. The savings realized estimated at
300,000 dollars a year, 500,000 dollars by 2008 to house inmates
outside of the county will pay for it. Here is how. For the next three
years stop sending inmates out of county. Set aside the savings and use
as a down-payment towards a loan. Build a 250 bed pod design jail and
911 center. Fifty of those beds would be rented out at 70 dollars per
inmate day. This would generate approximately 1.5 millon dollars a
year. As we grow in inmate population the rental space will be phased
out and the new jail will be paid off. The other option is to stop
sending inmates out of the county and close a jail and put the
criminals on a waiting list to pay back society. Justice delayed is
justice denied.
The Commissioners in the wake of the special election defeat has
ordered a 25% reduction in the Sheriff's office budget. We are now 23
positions fewer with another round of layoffs looming. This next round
will slice deeply into the core of the ranks. It takes many years to
train a Deputy to the high-caliber you have come to expect. Recently,
just about every law enforcement officer in the county was deployed at
one time. We had a homicide outside Baltimore, a barricade situation in
Lancaster, and a burglary outside of Pickerington. Outside agencies
were called in to help. We are seeing more and more of this as
influences from Columbus invade our quiet community. At a time when we
should be increasing patrol deputies a reduction in the patrol strength
will have a devasting impact. Just ask someone who lives in Hocking or
Perry counties. They will tell you how much longer it takes to get a
Deputy to their home. Criminal activity will not stop just because the
deputies got laid-off. In fact since most criminals know how to
read they are already lining up to take a crack at what they see
as easy pickings. The best way to solve crime is to prevent crime from
happening in the first place.
Twenty four years ago I took an oath to serve you, the citizens of our
community. You look at me and see polished boots and a shining uniform
but you do not see the blood, sweat, and grime that lines my uniform. I
have never regretted for one second the faith you put in me to
serve you. The editor of the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette recently asked
someone to step up to the plate. I submit that my brethren and I have
been in there swinging all along. The community must decide to cheer on
and support the home team. Make your ideas and feelings known to the
Commissioners and the media. The future of our community, our
lifestyles and our children's safety is the one game we can not afford
to lose.
Timothy E. Bigham
Senior Deputy
Fairfield Co. Sheriff's
Office
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