HPD to provide county fair security
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Hillsboro Police Chief Nick Thompson confirmed this week that his department, in cooperation with village and city police departments, will provide security for the 2011 Highland County Fair.
"I spoke to Dave Stratton, Highland County Fair Board president, and advised him that I would would meet with the Highland County Police Chiefs Association and discuss the situation," Thompson said in an interview this week. "All the city and village police chiefs stepped up to the plate and asked what they could do to help. At this time, a mutual aid agreement is being signed by each entity, and all agencies will be providing personnel to patrol the Highland County Fair."
Last month, Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward informed the Highland County Fair Board that his office will not be providing security for the 2011 county fair.
In a July 20 letter, Ward wrote to Fair Board President Dave Stratton: "After much and careful consideration concerning the mandates and priorities of the Office of Sheriff, I have come to the conclusion that my office will not be able to provide contracted services for security for the 2011 Highland County Fair."
Ward informed the Fair Board to contact the Hillsboro Police Department, should the need for law enforcement services arise during the fair.
According to Thompson, on July 14, "Sheriff Ron Ward notified me that he would not be furnishing security for the Highland County Fair. Sheriff Ward stated that for personal reasons, budgetary issues and lack of manpower, he was not able to provide security for the fair.
"Sheriff Ward stated that it would be up to the Hillsboro Police Department to provide such security. At this time, I consulted Mayor Zink and Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt as well as Law Director Fred Beery on the pending issue. Even though our department has experienced budget cuts over the last eight years and cuts in staff, it is our responsibility to continue to provide the security that the community expects and deserves.
"I reviewed the city limit boundaries at the map office and found that the fairgrounds was in the city with the pit area, tractor pull area, half of the north campgrounds and a large portion of the parking area located off Fairground Rd. lay in the unincorporated area of the county," Thompson added. "I met with Sheriff Ward on this issue, and he agreed that he would assign deputies to patrol the unincorporated area of the fairgrounds during the fair.
"I appreciate all the offers of assistance from the community, but I feel that with the assistance from all the county agencies, we will be able to furnish the needed security to provide a safe and enjoyable fair for everyone," Chief Thompson said.[[In-content Ad]]
"I spoke to Dave Stratton, Highland County Fair Board president, and advised him that I would would meet with the Highland County Police Chiefs Association and discuss the situation," Thompson said in an interview this week. "All the city and village police chiefs stepped up to the plate and asked what they could do to help. At this time, a mutual aid agreement is being signed by each entity, and all agencies will be providing personnel to patrol the Highland County Fair."
Last month, Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward informed the Highland County Fair Board that his office will not be providing security for the 2011 county fair.
In a July 20 letter, Ward wrote to Fair Board President Dave Stratton: "After much and careful consideration concerning the mandates and priorities of the Office of Sheriff, I have come to the conclusion that my office will not be able to provide contracted services for security for the 2011 Highland County Fair."
Ward informed the Fair Board to contact the Hillsboro Police Department, should the need for law enforcement services arise during the fair.
According to Thompson, on July 14, "Sheriff Ron Ward notified me that he would not be furnishing security for the Highland County Fair. Sheriff Ward stated that for personal reasons, budgetary issues and lack of manpower, he was not able to provide security for the fair.
"Sheriff Ward stated that it would be up to the Hillsboro Police Department to provide such security. At this time, I consulted Mayor Zink and Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt as well as Law Director Fred Beery on the pending issue. Even though our department has experienced budget cuts over the last eight years and cuts in staff, it is our responsibility to continue to provide the security that the community expects and deserves.
"I reviewed the city limit boundaries at the map office and found that the fairgrounds was in the city with the pit area, tractor pull area, half of the north campgrounds and a large portion of the parking area located off Fairground Rd. lay in the unincorporated area of the county," Thompson added. "I met with Sheriff Ward on this issue, and he agreed that he would assign deputies to patrol the unincorporated area of the fairgrounds during the fair.
"I appreciate all the offers of assistance from the community, but I feel that with the assistance from all the county agencies, we will be able to furnish the needed security to provide a safe and enjoyable fair for everyone," Chief Thompson said.[[In-content Ad]]