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Thursday, 19 August 2010 10:04 |
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by Sheriff Mark Hodges
Just in case you missed the great article by Post and Mail reporter Chris Meyers, I would like to congratulate Confinement Officer Steve Myers on his award for Confinement Officer of the Year for the State of Indiana. Steve goes above and beyond his required duties as a Confinement Officer. He helps inmates when they are released and have very little provisions. He will invite released offenders to his church and he has been known to drive released offenders to doctor appointments. Steve also does some of the building maintenance, fixing leaky pipes, repairing locking mechanisms, sealing asphalt, bulb replacement … the list goes on and on. He has saved us thousands of dollars in budget money by providing this service.
I have three goals for improvements to operations for the next four years. I would like to install GPS tracking in all of the patrol cars. GPS will be of great assistance when the public calls in to say a police call was traveling too fast through an intersection or past their house. A GPS recording will allow me to review the speed of the officer, review road and weather conditions and then determine if the officer was responding to a call. A safety feature of GPS will allow us to locate an officer should the officer not be able to respond on his radio.
I also want to revisit the possibility of video arraignment. This project will allow us to present arrestees to the court without leaving the confines of the jail. In some cases, an inmate that is being housed in another jail could make a court appearance without having to be transported to Whitley County then back to the holding jail. Lots of miles and man hours can be saved with this feature. Video arraignment is basically electronic audio /video equipment that is installed in the jail and in both local courts. With the proper mounting of cameras and microphones, the prosecutor, judge, defense attorney and arrestee will be visible to each other without taking the arrestee out of this building. This will increase security while decreasing the number of officers required to walk the inmate across the street to court.
Finally, I would like to find funding to replace the 23 year old door opening system. This system is responsible for unlocking cell doors and other security doors. The panel contains several dozen rocker switches that are pressed to unlock a certain door. Due to the age of the panel, replacement parts are becoming obsolete and a service call to make a repair is extremely expensive. The latest replacement for the existing panel is a computer operated touch-screen system. The computer screen will display a schematic-like drawing of the interior of the building with all doors numbered. When an officer calls to have a door opened, the Control Room officer simply touches the computer screen to open the door. Since the price tag of this system exceeds $100,000.00, funding from grants will be researched.
In closing for this month, I would like to share some of the jail statistics from 2009. These statistics are from an annual report that I am required to submit to both judges, the governing bodies and to the Department of Correction.
Total number of inmate beds in the Whitley County Jail remains at 100. The total number of persons booked for 2009 was 1892.
The total number of felony charges was 492. The total number of misdemeanor charges was 706.
The top ten bookings by order of offense: 1. Court Hearings (FTA, FTC, etc.) 568. 2.Operating While Intoxicated 477; 3. Burglary /Theft 204; 4. Possession of Controlled Substance 173; 5. Holds for other departments 133; 6. Possession of Paraphernalia 118; 7. Minor in Possession 107; 8. Driving While Suspended 64; 9. Habitual Traffic Violator 61; 10. Battery 59.
The average daily inmate population for 2009: 104. The highest population was on 06-08-09: 128. The lowest population was on 11-12-09: 81. The total jail and in-custody deaths for 2009: 0; The total number of escapes for 2009: 0. The total number of juveniles booked via waiver or direct file for 2009: 1. Bookings - Number of County Residents Booked 914. Average Stay (in days) 37.4.Average Age 32. Males 1407. Females 485. White 1720. Asian 3. Black 86. Hispanic 49. Amer. Indian or Alaskan Native 2. Other 2. Unknown 30. by Sheriff Mark Hodges Just in case you missed the great article by Post and Mail reporter Chris Meyers, I would like to congratulate Confinement Officer Steve Myers on his award for Confinement Officer of the Year for the State of Indiana. Steve goes above and beyond his required duties as a Confinement Officer. He helps inmates when they are released and have very little provisions. He will invite released offenders to his church and he has been known to drive released offenders to doctor appointments. Steve also does some of the building maintenance, fixing leaky pipes, repairing locking mechanisms, sealing asphalt, bulb replacement … the list goes on and on. He has saved us thousands of dollars in budget money by providing this service.
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Thursday, 17 June 2010 9:30 |
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by Mark Hodges
It is a great pleasure to share that we have about a dozen employees of the Sheriff’s Department who participate in many of the walks and/or races held in our area. Last Saturday, five of us ran in the 5K/10K races sponsored by the Kosciusko County YMCA. Tasha Farris was the brave one among us and ran the 10K. Mike Engle, Tony Helfrich, Jeremy Brice and I ran the 5K. There are several other employees here that are working out at the YMCA or at Any Time Fitness for weight loss and overall fitness. Congratulations to everyone for devoting time to your health.
The Whitley County Drug Task Force is diligently following up on tips on methamphetamine labs and other drug activity. Four meth labs have been discovered in the last ten days. We are very fortunate to have two deputies that are qualified to identify, dismantle and clean up a meth lab. Most departments our size have no one and must rely on the Indiana State Police for assistance. The Task Force is asking for help from the public by reporting suspicious activity to the tip line at 260-248-3155. You can leave an anonymous tip but investigators ask that you leave as much information and details as possible. You can also email a tip to HYPERLINK "mailto:
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"
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or call the department at 260-244-6410 and select option 4.
The Safe Assured Child ID Kit program will be operating at several locations this summer. The program electronically records your child walking and talking. It also records his or her fingerprints and documents certain personal information. This information is then burned to a compact disk that is kept by the parents. Look for the program during Old Settlers Days and during the 4-H Fair.
Once again this summer, the Sheriff’s Department will be at the 4-H Fair in the Commercial Building. We will have lots of give-away items for adults and kids. Be sure to stop by our booth for a road map, gun locks, coloring books and Junior Deputy stickers.
Grant money has been awarded to this department for several different projects. First, I would like to thank Whitley County Chapter of Drug Free Indiana for funds to purchase a radar unit that will be frequently used for drug interdiction patrols on US 30. Grant money was also obtained for some sliding shelves in our evidence room. The shelves are on a track allowing the individual units to be pushed together which allows extra space in the room. Also, the shelves move apart to allow a walking space between them. This improvement has more than doubled our storage area and greatly improves organization of the evidence. The third grant is actually two grants that have been a long time in the making. More than a year ago, Commissioner Tom Rethlake and I began working on a project called Guaranteed Energy Savings Project. Several mechanical engineering companies walked through the entire building analyzing the current heating and cooling system as well as the fluorescent lighting. After months of meetings, presentations and analysis, grants have been awarded for new energy efficient fluorescent lighting and a new heating and cooling system. Thanks to Lori Shipman, Grant Coordinator, for her hard work that has brought nearly $300,000 worth of improvements to the entire Sheriff’s Department building.
As you plan your summer vacations or weekend getaways, I encourage everyone to buckle up and obey the speed limits. Never hesitate to call 911 to report an impaired driver or any other emergency that you might encounter on the highways. by Mark Hodges It is a great pleasure to share that we have about a dozen employees of the Sheriff’s Department who participate in many of the walks and/or races held in our area. Last Saturday, five of us ran in the 5K/10K races sponsored by the Kosciusko County YMCA. Tasha Farris was the brave one among us and ran the 10K. Mike Engle, Tony Helfrich, Jeremy Brice and I ran the 5K. There are several other employees here that are working out at the YMCA or at Any Time Fitness for weight loss and overall fitness. Congratulations to everyone for devoting time to your health.
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Wednesday, 14 April 2010 12:09 |
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by Mark Hodges
As I try to write this month’s article, I am having trouble knowing where to begin. Having three homicides in the last five months is quite obviously out of the norm for Whitley County. While we were investigating the disappearance of Deb Houser last November, I was asked by the news media about how often a homicide occurs in Whitley County. From my experience I told them one about every five or six years. Then in January a body was discovered in a woods in Union Township. Then on March 18, we began investigating the disappearance of 14-year-old Kaylin Doggendorf. Late Friday night, March 19, the body of Kaylin was discovered just into Kosciusko County, not far from her Whitley County home. I am not too proud or macho to say that Kaylin’s death was very emotional for several of us in this department. Deputy Scott Geist took the initial report of Kaylin being missing. As facts and evidence started to come in, we realized something wasn’t right. Chief Deputy Marc Gatton became very involved in the investigation as did Detective Chuck Vogely. Within 24 hours, Gatton and Vogely developed a suspect and on Friday morning he was located. There is so much more investigation that occurred that I cannot go into, but by late Friday night the suspect was in custody and charged with Kaylin’s death. I want to publicly thank Chief Deputy Marcus Gatton, Detective Chuck Vogely, Deputy Scott Geist, Deputy Dennis Ruch and Reserve Deputies Sean Martin and Tyson Howenstine for their dedication to this investigation. The citizens of Whitley County should be proud to have these men as officers of the Sheriff’s Department. I know I am.
On a much lighter topic, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Reserves are preparing a fund raising raffle that will kick off in the next few weeks. A Remington model 870 shotgun and a Savage caliber 17HMR rifle are the prizes that will go to two lucky ticket holders. Most any department member or Reserve will have tickets for sale at $10 each. Drawing will be held on October 31 at the annual pancake and sausage breakfast. The Reserves are also having a fish and tenderloin supper on May 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the FOP Building, 606 W. Van Buren Street, Columbia City. Please help your Reserve organization raise needed funds by attending the fish and tenderloin supper and purchasing a raffle ticket.
In closing, I have been approached by so many people in the last three weeks offering praise for our work on the last homicide. People have also shared that they are thinking of us and praying for us. For all of you who have publically spoken or privately prayed, I thank you very much. Your thoughts, your words and your prayers are greatly appreciated. by Mark Hodges As I try to write this month’s article, I am having trouble knowing where to begin. Having three homicides in the last five months is quite obviously out of the norm for Whitley County. While we were investigating the disappearance of Deb Houser last November, I was asked by the news media about how often a homicide occurs in Whitley County.
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Wednesday, 17 February 2010 3:20 |
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by Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges
The new year has brought some exciting news to the Sheriff’s Department. As previously publicized, Chaplain Gerald Bills was selected as Chaplain of the Year by the National Sheriffs’ Association for 2010. Each year the National Sheriffs’ Association seeks nominations across the United States for several awards and this year we nominated Gerald. Gerald and his wife Jeanette have been ministering to inmates of this jail for 35 years. They have touched the lives of hundreds of inmates and probably even some employees. In addition to travel expenses, the National Sheriffs’ Association will provide conference registration to Gerald and Jeanette to travel to Anaheim, California in June to receive his award. Recognition of Gerald and Jeanette’s work is long overdue. If you see them, give them a pat on the back.
Some specialized training is in the near future for several members of the department. Deputy Cory Patrick has been accepted for a class that will enable him to assist in the proper response to and eventual disposal of methamphetamine labs. At the conclusion of the training, Deputy Patrick will be fitted for protective clothing and given several other tools. The training is hosted by the Indiana State Police at no cost to the department. Confinement Officer Sergeant Frank Loe will be attending free training by the Indiana Department of Correction on the subject of Correctional Management and Custody Supervision. Sergeant Mike Engle and I will attend a class in Ft. Wayne on the latest issues concerning pursuits, pursuit driving and pursuit policies.
Chief Deputy Marcus Gatton and I recently met with representatives from the YWCA and a newly formed Domestic Violence Assistant Program. We were told the purpose of the program is to provide on-scene assistance to victims of domestic violence. A volunteer who is trained by the program managers will respond to domestic violence scenes when called by local police. The volunteer, a survivor of domestic violence, will provide the victim with education and options.
On January 26th, the Sheriff’s Department began a building-wide recycling program. A recycling dumpster has been delivered here and all employees have been instructed to recycle more and throw less in the trash. Prior to starting this program, too many recyclable materials from the kitchen were being thrown in the trash dumpster. Now we are filling the recycle dumpster at least once per week and my hope is to reduce our trash pickup by half. If we can meet that goal, I hope to re-negotiate our contract and reduce our costs with National Serv-All.
Shortly after I wrote my article last December, the body of Debra Houser was located. Again, I want to thank everyone that assisted in any way. I also want to publicly thank Detective Chuck Vogely for his dedication to the investigation and to Sergeant Randy Dellinger for his meticulous crime scene investigation. Their hard work will greatly enhance the future prosecution of this case. by Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges The new year has brought some exciting news to the Sheriff’s Department. As previously publicized, Chaplain Gerald Bills was selected as Chaplain of the Year by the National Sheriffs’ Association for 2010. Each year the National Sheriffs’ Association seeks nominations across the United States for several awards and this year we nominated Gerald. Gerald and his wife Jeanette have been ministering to inmates of this jail for 35 years. They have touched the lives of hundreds of inmates and probably even some employees. In addition to travel expenses, the National Sheriffs’ Association will provide conference registration to Gerald and Jeanette to travel to Anaheim, California in June to receive his award. Recognition of Gerald and Jeanette’s work is long overdue. If you see them, give them a pat on the back.
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Wednesday, 14 October 2009 8:19 |
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From the Sheriff’s Desk – October 2009
by Mark Hodges
In my last article I wrote that we had applied for a grant for electronic fingerprinting equipment, video conferencing and upgrading storage in our evidence room. The past two weeks has brought good and bad news on this grant request. The bad news is our request for $98,100.00 was denied. The good news is we, along with several other Sheriff’s Department and State Police Posts, are receiving the electronic fingerprinting system. As previously written, this system would replace the current manual method of taking fingerprints. The automated system would be much more accurate, would help to identify persons and would coincide with the goal of the FBI to achieve electronic fingerprinting of all fingerprinting data. We have not yet been notified when to expect delivery of this new equipment. We have made an inquiry as to why we were denied our grant request and we will apply again very soon.
Matron Marcia Dierks, Head Cook Pat Slaten and I met with our food sales representative to discuss ways to shrink our food budget. After reviewing our current menu and list of frequently purchased items, it was recommended to make certain substitutes that will lower the cost but not decrease the nutritional value of the meals. We are still early into this process but our goal is to cut our meal budget by ten percent.
Late in August, I was able to get a drop box installed in the lobby of the jail for anyone that needs to dispose of old, out-dated and unneeded drugs. The lobby is open 24/7 so drops can be made at anytime. Please do not drop off liquids, syringes or razor blades.
Jail Commander Sean Martin attended a free week long school on Jail Staffing Analysis. The school’s goal is to help improve jail operations by improving jail staffing practices. The training identified the many jail operations and then attempts to build a plan to increase efficiency.
On August 27, several employees, family and friends of Gerald Bills met for a surprise 80th birthday for Gerald. Gerald and Jeanette Bills have been ministering to the inmates here for nearly 35 years so they both deserve a bit of recognition. “Happy Birthday” to Gerald and “Thank You” to Gerald and Jeanette for their unselfish commitment to hundreds of inmates over the past 35 years.
The school year has begun again and already I have been to Columbia City High School to give a Driver’s Education presentation. At Whitko High School, Probation Officer Chastity Lester and I speak to the government classes on the difference between adult laws and juvenile laws. As part of that class, I do a segment on the proper behavior of drivers and passengers after they have been stopped by a police officer. I conduct a series of mock traffic stops where selected students act as drivers and passengers and respond to me from a script that I have written. After the mock traffic stop, we discuss what the driver and/or passenger did right or wrong during the stop.
I would like to thank Rob Arms and R&D Motor Sports for supplying us with another Yamaha Rhino to use for the next six months. As reported before, Yamaha sponsors a program that provides law enforcement agencies with a Rhino for free. We continue to use ours for details such as parades, 4-H Fair security and snow removal at the jail.
In closing, I want to remind everyone of the pancake and sausage breakfast sponsored by the Sheriff’s Reserves on Saturday morning, October 31 at the 4-H Center. Check this paper for times. Please come out and help support the Reserves to enable them to purchase equipment and to fund the first annual “Shop With a Sheriff.” This program will enable some less fortunate children to do some Christmas shopping with an officer from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.  (Mark Hodges is in his first term as Whitley County Sheriff. He writes a column to inform Whitley County residents of activities in the Sheriff's department)
by Mark Hodges In my last article I wrote that we had applied for a grant for electronic fingerprinting equipment, video conferencing and upgrading storage in our evidence room.
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