A grant of about $30,000 from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services is paying for half of the deputy’s salary this year and the sheriff’s office is matching that, Logan County Sheriff Andrew Smith said.
He said his office stays busy with crimes at the lake year round.
“A number of folks have second homes or trailers in that area so there are a number of thefts that take place in the off-season,” Smith said. “In summertime, because it is a resort area, there are some alcohol-related events from open container to public intoxication and DUIs.”
Smith chose Logan County Deputy Doug Mitchell to work an evening shift and serve the four townships that surround the lake: Washington, Richland, McArthur and Stokes twps.
“The biggest impact I have on that region is that I have a chance to prevent crimes,” Mitchell said.
He’s already been responsible for drug possession charges, recovering a stolen car and improving traffic issues around the area.
Mitchell also is building bridges with local governments and trying to become a familiar face around the area. He regularly attends village and townships meetings.
“I like it mostly because I get to know the people,” Mitchell said. “Instead of being the cop there, they get to know me as a person.”
Former deputy and Washington Twp. Trustee Rick Beck said Mitchell has been a big help to area so far.
“Anytime you have extra eyes out there, it pays,” Beck said.
Like most areas in the region, Indian Lake is battling a heroin epidemic and the crime that is associated with it, Beck said.
“The drug industry is just out of control right now,” he said.
The sheriff’s office will look at crimes and calls for service in the region in about a month, Smith said, to make sure deputies are meeting the needs of the community the best they can.
The grant is only a one year program and Smith said he will apply for it again next year.
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