Listening at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 8, are from left Board member Tony Garza, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris McKeand, Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and Board members Dana Leon and Bill Kelly. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work on its community involvement.

At its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 8, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board heard from KCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light about events officers had or were to participate in.

Light said officers were recently involved with local elementary school students going to see the Mizpah Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne. Some officers also helped with Tippecanoe Valley Middle School’s anti-bullying program and another officer spoke to Kosciusko County 4-H Horse and Pony Club members.

Light said he and Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith recently went to North Webster to congratulate Collin Roberson at his Court of Honor on achieving his Eagle Scout rank.

Members of the current Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program made soup and won first prize for it at the Wawasee Kiwanis Club’s Soup Supper, added Light.

Officers are to be involved with Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 9, in Warsaw, a prom for people with special needs.

Smith added that community involvement is “huge” for him.

“We find that people enjoy it and not only do they enjoy it, but my feeling is that they feel that we’re more approachable in those types of environments,” he said.

Smith added the KCSO recently worked with those planning Silver Lake Days on safety concerns and people may contact the KCSO if they need such help with planning festivals or other events.

Community Recovery Program

The board also heard from KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand that planning is still ongoing for the new Community Recovery Program.

He said the KCSO “is waiting to hear back” regarding the two grants it applied for to cover the cost of the program meant to help county inmates acclimate back into society and help with their mental health and substance abuse needs.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from Light the KCSO had 1,779 service calls in January.  He said numbers “are trending upwards” for calls and probably will continue to climb as the weather gets warmer.
• Heard on update from Lake City Bank on officers’ pension plan.
• Heard from KCSO Patrol Commander Lt. Mike Mulligan the office is wrapping up its current hiring process. It hopes to fill two positions now, as Deputy Dan Buell is leaving this month due to a move.
• Heard from KCSO Investigations Commander Lt. Josh Spangle that Detective Sgt. Brian Nault is doing well on his polygraph training.