BEDFORD – Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Major Brandon Blackwell Tuesday morning presented the commissioner with the commissary report. The report is generated every six months.
According to the report, $220,226.49 was received and $181,391 was disbursed leaving a balance of $140,203.59.
Commissary money according to state statue is not funded by tax money.
Major Blackwell reported some of the money will be used to replace the department’s patrol vehicles.
“Many have seen a lot of wear and tear and are constantly needed to be repaired. We are spending a lot of money to keep them running,” added Major Blackwell. “The sheriff is looking into purchasing a new car and exploring possible lease options.”
The money will also be spent to replace the officer’s body cameras. The cameras are outdated and replacement parts can not be purchased.
“We have applied for a grant and hopefully will receive that grant to purchase the cameras,” added Major Blackwell. “If not we will have to use commissary funds to purchase new ones.”
Major Blackwell reported the security updates at Courthouse Plaza are complete.
The construction of security office was constructed by using part of the Public Defenders office and the security center was moved behind the entrance of the voter registration office.
All of the security cameras at Courthouse Plaza will be updated. ITS will do the work at a cost of $12,625 which the sheriff has in his budget. He also will use $11,920 from his budget to have T&G change the entrances at Courthouse Plaza and construct a security office.
“We are waiting on the delivery of those cameras. Once received, IT still has to do the setup and instillation,” added Major Blackwell
There were 98 inmates housed at the jail, of which 98 are males, 30 females, 11 Department of Correction holds, four parole holds, and 16 Level 6 felons.
