April 2, 2008                  Sheriff’s Office Receives Thermal Imager

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a Hand-Held Thermal Imager recently under a grant through the Department of Homeland Security. According to Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers, the equipment will significantly enhance his Office’s ability to conduct search and rescue efforts on land or on water, as well as aid in fugitive searches.

“The technology that this equipment brings us is tremendous,” Sheriff Summers said. “In many instances it turns darkness into light which will aid in numerous law enforcement tactics.”

According to Sheriff Summers, a certified Thermographer is on staff, and plans are being made to utilize the imager in training scenarios so that key personnel will be aware of its capabilities.

May 23, 2007       Sheriff Announces “Project H.O.P.E.”

Late last spring, my office launched Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Precious Elderly) our aim was to identify senior and disabled citizens in our county that did not have the luxury of having family or friends close by to rely on for certain task.

In less than a year, we already have over one hundred participants in the program and it is growing daily. With the help of my deputies, other County and State Agencies, we have been able to identify those in the county that make a perfect fit for the program. My deputies, while on patrol, make home visits with the participants and ensure that they have properly functioning smoke detectors and assist them with ways to make their home safer. With help from donations from community and business leaders, we have even been able to provide some participants with heaters and fans.

Project H.O.P.E. has enabled us to become better connected with the people that we serve and aids us in identifying potential problems in our communities. Many of the residents we serve in Project H.O.P.E. are longtime residents of the county and they know when certain things are out of place in their community and they are quick to report it. This has helped my office tremendously in our efforts to help combat crime.      

I am blessed to have been raised in Calhoun County by my parents who still reside here and have served as the inspiration behind this initiative. The senior citizens of this county have provided us with the foundation that we now enjoy. This is a way for us to give back.

If you would like more information about Project H.O.P.E., please feel free to contact me.