Thanks to the generosity of the area citizens who continuously support and donate funds to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Foundation, the Sheriff’s Office has recently been able to undertake several projects to provide improved service to the public and enhance law enforcement capabilities.
At its last Board of Directors meeting and subsequent approvals, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Foundation has appropriated over $100,000 for various Sheriff’s Office projects and acquisitions of equipment, most of which have already been undertaken. These included:
*Renovations to the front lobby area of the Sheriff’s Administration Offices to provide better service to the public who come in. Previously there were only two windows for clerical staff to handle walk-ins. This has now been doubled to four windows, and remodeling is still underway.
*New lighting has been purchased and installed at the Sheriff’s Office firing range on Baxter CR 69, with support provided by the Baxter County Road and Bridge Department. This will provide additional training opportunities for deputies.
*A new automated moving target system was also purchased and installed at the firing range.
*Specialized crime scene mapping software and an associated laptop computer were purchased for the criminal investigation division.
*A new treadmill was purchased to add to the downstairs gym for use by deputies.
*Appropriations were made for the purchase and training of two new drug sniffing and tracking canines. These are in the process of being acquired and assigned to deputies.
*Construction of a new dog kennel facility to house the two canines.
*Equipment purchased that is needed to transform normal patrol vehicles into canine vehicles.
*Purchase of an unmanned flying vehicle (Drone) to be used for law enforcement investigative purposes and searches of lost/missing persons, along with paying for the associated licensing and training for drone operators. This program is still under research and development and not yet operational.
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office and all its personnel wish to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Foundation and its supporters and donors who made these improvements possible.
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 domestic non-profit organization in good standing with the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office and the IRS. It is governed by an unpaid volunteer nine member Board of Directors, and its mission and purpose is to provide support to the Sheriff’s Office and its employees. Additional information about the Sheriff’s Foundation can be found on its website: www.baxtercountysherifffoundation.org
