Posted on September 5, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
A meeting between the Starke County Prosecutor, the Sheriff and other County officials was arranged during this week’s Starke County Commissioners’ meeting.
Prosecutor Leslie Baker came before the commissioners Tuesday evening and asked them to reconsider approving the creation of an investigator’s position for the Prosecutor’s office.
Commissioner Kathy Norem reiterated her stance, which was expressed at the last Commissioners meeting, that there are investigators available at the Sheriff’s Department and an additional employee seems unnecessary.
Prosecutor Baker indicated that her goal with creating this position is to provide the County with an extra resource.
Baker explained “I have no problem working with the detectives of the Sherriff’s Department or the detective we have with the City of Knox Police Department. In fact, when I asked him to do some follow up for me the other day he said he wishes there were three of them.”
She continued, “This is not a position to reflect anything on any current investigator that we have working for any agency in the County. This is an additional means of support to provide follow up on cases that sometimes slip through the cracks.”
Baker mentioned that creating the position would not require an additional funding request or appropriation since a two percent raise to her budget has been approved by the County Council. She said there is money available to fund the position and she was able to incorporate it into her budget for next year.
Commissioner Norem asked if the money the Prosecutor was referring to would be coming from pre-trial diversion funds and Baker confirmed that’s what she was talking about. Norem noted that money still has to be collected so the availability of those funds is not certain.
Following further discussion, Commissioner Bryan Cavinder suggested having a meeting with himself, Prosecutor Baker and Sheriff Bill Dulin in order to discuss matters further.
Prosecutor Baker said she was willing to attend such a meeting and Sheriff Dulin also agreed. Dulin recommended having County Attorney Marty Lucas and at least one County Council member present as well.
The commissioners made a decision to table the Prosecutor’s request for the time being and said it could be revisited during a meeting further down the line.
Showing posts with label Starke Co. Sheriff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Starke Co. Sheriff. Show all posts
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Starke County Sheriff, Court Services to Apply for Grant
Posted on July 18, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin and Starke County Court Services Director Shawn Mattraw will be applying for a grant to help address opioid use disorders and substance use disorders.
Sheriff Dulin said Starke County Court Services is part of a Justice Partners Addiction Response Training Group. Through this group, Court Services officials can apply for a grant through the Sequential Intercept Model for $60,000 for two consecutive years to enhance partnerships with law enforcement and behavioral health care providers.
Dulin said the funds will help the county with a new position.
“The creation of a part-time re-entry coordinator position that would help assist offenders in getting a job, getting their banking things in order, possibly helping them get to and from jobs, and possibly housing.
Funding would also allow training for a Moral Recognition Therapy program at Hope Restored in North Judson and potential cross training with Healthlinc’s Mobile Response Team.
“A huge thing is a Mobile Response Team which would include an on-duty law enforcement officer and that funding would help cover the overtime costs for that officer.”
The dedicated officer would be a part of Healthlinc’s Mobile Response Team as a first line of defense in a situation. The Mobile Response Team will assist the individual in making sure they attend the addiction treatment appointments and will meet with them on a regular basis.
The county would not need to provide a grant match. The grant announcement will be made in the fall.
Commissioner Bryan Cavendar commented that he supports anything that can help combat the drug problem in the county.
With that, the commissioners approved the request to proceed with the grant application. They also approved the creation of the part-time re-entry coordinator.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin and Starke County Court Services Director Shawn Mattraw will be applying for a grant to help address opioid use disorders and substance use disorders.
Sheriff Dulin said Starke County Court Services is part of a Justice Partners Addiction Response Training Group. Through this group, Court Services officials can apply for a grant through the Sequential Intercept Model for $60,000 for two consecutive years to enhance partnerships with law enforcement and behavioral health care providers.
Dulin said the funds will help the county with a new position.
“The creation of a part-time re-entry coordinator position that would help assist offenders in getting a job, getting their banking things in order, possibly helping them get to and from jobs, and possibly housing.
Funding would also allow training for a Moral Recognition Therapy program at Hope Restored in North Judson and potential cross training with Healthlinc’s Mobile Response Team.
“A huge thing is a Mobile Response Team which would include an on-duty law enforcement officer and that funding would help cover the overtime costs for that officer.”
The dedicated officer would be a part of Healthlinc’s Mobile Response Team as a first line of defense in a situation. The Mobile Response Team will assist the individual in making sure they attend the addiction treatment appointments and will meet with them on a regular basis.
The county would not need to provide a grant match. The grant announcement will be made in the fall.
Commissioner Bryan Cavendar commented that he supports anything that can help combat the drug problem in the county.
With that, the commissioners approved the request to proceed with the grant application. They also approved the creation of the part-time re-entry coordinator.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Starke County Council Approves New Line Items in the Sheriff’s Budget
Posted on February 25, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin asked the county council members last week to create new line items in the sheriff’s budget to ensure money is being deposited into separate accounts for different aspects at the sheriff’s department.
He explained that money received for funds by use of confidential informants for undercover drug buy operations should have its own account with money transferred from the Therapeutic Community. The county does receive that money back if requested in a court order when a suspect is sentenced in a case.
Sheriff Dulin said the money is needed as Starke County leads the state in heroin overdoses and this drug buy money could help stop criminals from the vicious cycle of drug abuse.
After some discussion, the council did approve the creation of the fund and to transfer $5,000 in that fund.
On top of that, the council members approved the creation of a line item for the Fostering a Recovery Mindset (F.A.R.M.) program that will hold funds from the sale of produce and other items the inmates sell while participating in the program.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin asked the county council members last week to create new line items in the sheriff’s budget to ensure money is being deposited into separate accounts for different aspects at the sheriff’s department.
He explained that money received for funds by use of confidential informants for undercover drug buy operations should have its own account with money transferred from the Therapeutic Community. The county does receive that money back if requested in a court order when a suspect is sentenced in a case.
Sheriff Dulin said the money is needed as Starke County leads the state in heroin overdoses and this drug buy money could help stop criminals from the vicious cycle of drug abuse.
After some discussion, the council did approve the creation of the fund and to transfer $5,000 in that fund.
On top of that, the council members approved the creation of a line item for the Fostering a Recovery Mindset (F.A.R.M.) program that will hold funds from the sale of produce and other items the inmates sell while participating in the program.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Starke County Sheriff Presents Proposed Ordinance Amendments to Commissioners
Posted on February 6, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin presented several ordinance amendments to put more teeth into enforcement.
Dulin suggested fines for dogs running at large. He said the sheriff’s department received 477 phone calls concerning dogs running at large and he believes it will be beneficial to impose fines for repeat calls to a residence. The Starke County Humane Society would impound the dog if several complaints are received. County Attorney Marty Lucas will review the document and legal terms.
A new ordinance presented by the sheriff would require homeowners and business owners with alarm systems to install or update their system to be more efficient. Dulin said the sheriff’s department was called to 877 alarm calls in 2018.
“We’re running a Signal 10 which is lights and sirens to these alarms which we respond to them as burglary in progress and we get there and we find out it’s nothing,” explained Dulin. “We usually run those as top priority calls over other calls except accidents. I do have a vendor that would install software and help us run the system. We could collect the fines and fees and whatnot out of that.”
A golf cart ordinance amendment would fine a Bass Lake or Koontz Lake resident $25 who asks to register a golf cart outside of the active registration time from April to June.
Those ordinance amendments will be reviewed by the county attorney who may have recommendations for the commissioners at the next meeting.
One item the commissioners did approve Monday night was a motion to support the transfer of $5,000 from the Therapeutic Community Miscellaneous line item out of the sheriff’s budget to a drug buy line item so officers have money available to conduct investigations. The matter will go before the Starke County Council members on Feb. 18.
Two more ordinances will be presented to the commissioners in future meetings that deal with excessive noise and an inmate booking fee.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin presented several ordinance amendments to put more teeth into enforcement.
Dulin suggested fines for dogs running at large. He said the sheriff’s department received 477 phone calls concerning dogs running at large and he believes it will be beneficial to impose fines for repeat calls to a residence. The Starke County Humane Society would impound the dog if several complaints are received. County Attorney Marty Lucas will review the document and legal terms.
A new ordinance presented by the sheriff would require homeowners and business owners with alarm systems to install or update their system to be more efficient. Dulin said the sheriff’s department was called to 877 alarm calls in 2018.
“We’re running a Signal 10 which is lights and sirens to these alarms which we respond to them as burglary in progress and we get there and we find out it’s nothing,” explained Dulin. “We usually run those as top priority calls over other calls except accidents. I do have a vendor that would install software and help us run the system. We could collect the fines and fees and whatnot out of that.”
A golf cart ordinance amendment would fine a Bass Lake or Koontz Lake resident $25 who asks to register a golf cart outside of the active registration time from April to June.
Those ordinance amendments will be reviewed by the county attorney who may have recommendations for the commissioners at the next meeting.
One item the commissioners did approve Monday night was a motion to support the transfer of $5,000 from the Therapeutic Community Miscellaneous line item out of the sheriff’s budget to a drug buy line item so officers have money available to conduct investigations. The matter will go before the Starke County Council members on Feb. 18.
Two more ordinances will be presented to the commissioners in future meetings that deal with excessive noise and an inmate booking fee.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Starke County Sheriff to Discuss Ordinances with Commissioners
Posted on January 29, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin will be presenting some updates on current ordinances, or new ordinances in some cases, to help put teeth into some of the calls that officers are constantly responding.
He wants to present ordinances that address noise, animals running at large, vicious dogs, false alarms, and amend the golf cart ordinance concerning open containers.
He explained that officers are responding to a number of these calls that can be reduced if updates are made that can put a fine or other provisions to prohibit the same behavior from the same people.
Sheriff Dulin will discuss these topics with County Attorney Marty Lucas to be presented for consideration at the commissioners’ next meeting on Monday, Feb 4.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin will be presenting some updates on current ordinances, or new ordinances in some cases, to help put teeth into some of the calls that officers are constantly responding.
He wants to present ordinances that address noise, animals running at large, vicious dogs, false alarms, and amend the golf cart ordinance concerning open containers.
He explained that officers are responding to a number of these calls that can be reduced if updates are made that can put a fine or other provisions to prohibit the same behavior from the same people.
Sheriff Dulin will discuss these topics with County Attorney Marty Lucas to be presented for consideration at the commissioners’ next meeting on Monday, Feb 4.
Monday, January 28, 2019
Starke County Sheriff Updates Commissioners on CAD System
Posted on January 28, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin and IT Director Richard Franks are working on updating the Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Dulin told the Starke County Commissioners last week that the Knox City Police Department, North Judson Police Department and the Hamlet Police Department have been asked to contribute money toward paying for licensing, support and maintenance for their participation in the system. County Attorney Marty Lucas will be drafting a letter that specifies the amount that would need to be budgeted for 2020 when local government officials begin budget discussions in July.
This year’s contribution will be included in the grant.
The current system is outdated and no longer meets compliance to support securities.
A $100,000 State Homeland Security Program grant was obtained to help toward the cost of obtaining the new system that will better update calls and information for police. In addition, the Starke County Probation Department will help with the cost with $30,000 in funding along with $15,000 from Starke County Community Corrections. The remainder of the funding comes from the county.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin and IT Director Richard Franks are working on updating the Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Dulin told the Starke County Commissioners last week that the Knox City Police Department, North Judson Police Department and the Hamlet Police Department have been asked to contribute money toward paying for licensing, support and maintenance for their participation in the system. County Attorney Marty Lucas will be drafting a letter that specifies the amount that would need to be budgeted for 2020 when local government officials begin budget discussions in July.
This year’s contribution will be included in the grant.
The current system is outdated and no longer meets compliance to support securities.
A $100,000 State Homeland Security Program grant was obtained to help toward the cost of obtaining the new system that will better update calls and information for police. In addition, the Starke County Probation Department will help with the cost with $30,000 in funding along with $15,000 from Starke County Community Corrections. The remainder of the funding comes from the county.
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