Resident warns drone program could spur jail expansion, questions law-enforcement spending

Dan Cox, a Halls Creek resident, told the Humphreys County Board of Commissioners that a proposed drug-surveillance drone program is unnecessary and likely to be abused, and warned it will be used to justify expanding the county jail.

“The drone program is not needed. The jail is not needed,” Cox said during the meeting’s public-comment period, adding, “the jail will be full. They’ll call it over capacity within six months of construction being completed.” He also said extra police surveillance “is something that gets abused all the time,” and argued that budget incentives encourage departments to expand to protect funding.

The comment came as the board considered a budget amendment that increases funding in several law-enforcement lines. The resolution read during the meeting would increase the drug fund’s contributions and gifts account by $10,000, boost drug-enforcement spending by $20,000 and add funds to a law-enforcement equipment line.

Commissioner Justin Curtis asked whether the $10,000 donation from “Oxy Oxycam” had restrictions and was told the money went to the sheriff’s office. Curtis said such funds can be used to offset other projects and warned that he will vote against measures that are not strictly necessary. “So, I’m going to say this year I’m going to do my best to not have taxes go up,” Curtis said. “If it’s not making us money or if it’s not absolutely 100% a necessity, it’s going to be a no.”

The board voted to approve the budget amendment as presented. The meeting then moved to the next item on the agenda.