Greene County safety committee hears sheriff’s monthly report; approves SRO travel, advisory board appointment and two budget amendments

The Greene County Safety Committee met April 7 and received a monthly operations report from the sheriff’s office, heard updates from emergency services and dispatch, and approved four routine agenda items: non-state travel for the incoming school resource officer, an appointment to the county fire advisory board, and two budget amendments relating to the E-911 center and insurance recovery for the sheriff’s office.

In a summary of law-enforcement activity for the prior month, the sheriff’s office reported 41 civil attempts, 19 civil papers served, 189 traffic tickets issued, 11 reported traffic accidents, 27 arrests and 1 DWI arrest. The office recorded 490 calls for service and 479 traffic stops. The jail population was 39 on March 1 and 38 on March 31, with a monthly high of 39. Corrections staff reported 20 transports covering 442 miles over 33 hours and moving 22 inmates. The transcript records “7 state 30 inmates” in custody; no further clarification was provided in the meeting record.

The sheriff’s office said it has taken a lateral transfer from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and is processing candidates for additional hires; four hires and three others were at various stages of background checks, according to the transcript. The sheriff also noted training and response work: a near-state-level boulder safety course with 30 attendees, an active attack integrated response drill at Koosaki Athens Middle School involving multiple agencies, and graduation of six students from phase 1 of a police academy at Columbia Green (the county sponsored one candidate for phase 2 and had another under background review).

The sheriff highlighted work by two deputies assigned as task force officers with the United States Marshals Office; their recent regional investigation led to the apprehension of a high-ranking gang suspect and the recovery of narcotics and firearms, the transcript says.

On formal actions, the committee approved non-state travel for incoming School Resource Officer Deputy Cody Rogers; the motion was carried. The committee also approved Resolution 488-24 appointing members to the County Fire Advisory Board (transcript names referenced include Alvar and Hobart). Two budget amendments were approved: one for emergency services/E-911 center upgrades and one for insurance recovery related to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. The transcript records the votes as carried but does not give individual vote tallies.

Emergency services staff discussed a multi-year grant (described in the meeting as a PFAS grant) to cover part of dispatch/workstation upgrades; the transcript indicates the grant spans two performance years and will not fully align with the county’s fiscal timing, with partial reimbursement expected. Staff also described the PSAP formula grant funded by the 9-1-1 surcharge and noted procurement constraints around specialized equipment brands.

The meeting closed after routine committee scheduling discussion and a motion to adjourn.