Sheriff’s Department Will Require $’s
Sheriff-elect Keith Burnett told the Glasscock County Commissioner’s Court June 30 that it will take extra dollars to get the sheriff’s department into better working order after several years of coasting. For the new budget, discussed in preliminary terms at this meeting, Burnett said he needs $36,000 for equipment, which includes $10,000 for computer software. He said the software is badly needed, since the department is still using what Fred Schroyer installed years ago, and it is totally outdated. He said a car computer will cost $6,000, an in-car camera (required by the state) will cost $3,500, and lights for two cars will add another $7,000. He reminded the court that the department will soon have three fully equipped patrol vehicles rather than the one fully equipped vehicle it has had for several years.
Burnett asked the court to hire a full-time person to write grants and to handle the job of Homeland Security Coordinator. County Judge Wilburn Bednar now serves as the coordinator, but Burnett and Bednar both say it is too much for him to handle. Burnett also suggested that the county provide a vehicle for Constable Mark Frysak, who is using his own car for his county job. No action was taken on either request.
Burnett said he now expects a trial will take place in the murder of a man found on State Highway 137 in Glasscock County earlier this spring. He said it is costing the county $37 per day to house the suspect in Reagan County.
Burnett said he favors using Glasscock County’s jail as a holding facility, rather than a full jail. He said we don’t have the personnel to adequately staff a full jail.
On July 14, Burnett reported 80 traffic citations were issued in June and 76 have been issued from July 1 – 14. Citations are the work of both DPS and local law enforcement personnel.