News
SPII Is Making a Difference
From the Times Leader website:
Last year in October Zdanski hosted an open house for the Sexual Predator Internet Initiative (SPII) Task Force and computer forensics lab at the Bethesda Police Department. This lab, and a twin lab in Martins Ferry were still acquiring software and hardware, but had begun pursuing cases in Belmont, Monroe, Harrison and Noble Counties. Other counties and agencies have since joined the SPII unit, and it has received national recognition.
Locally based SPII Task Force Wins State Awards
From the Times Leader website:
Members of the Sexual Predator Internet Initiative (SPII) Task Force, based in Belmont County, have received state recognition by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. At an awards luncheon in Cleveland on Tuesday, five out of 14 awards were given to SPII.
Chief Tim Zdanski of Bethesda Police Department and Sergeant Charles “Chip” Ghent of Martins Ferry Police Department received awards for “Cyber Tip Investigation.” Officer Jeremy Campbell of Bethesda Police and Detective Sergeant Ryan Allar and Sergeant Doug Cruse of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office received awards for “Peer to Peer Investigation.”
Jamboree In The Hills – 2011
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for Jamboree in the Hills 2011. Our agency is responsible for venue, campground and other security needs at the Jamboree in the Hills site, located near Morristown, Ohio. Over 150 law enforcement officers are needed to carry out all the required security needs. Deputies and Police Officers from all over Ohio come to Belmont County and work this event. Camping is available for those traveling any distance.
Law Enforcement Officers can apply to work Jamboree in the Hills 2011 by completing the 2011 JITH Hiring Packet located on this site. Click on Information, Click on Forms, Click on 2011 JITH Hiring Packet, Read the cover letter for further instruction and e-mail to: KPaboucek@BelmontSheriff.com or fax to: 740-699-2582. Be sure to read the cover letter to know what you will be required to bring.
Packets are accepted from all Ohio Commissioned Law Enforcement Personnel. Your certifications and qualifications must be current. You are required to submit a letter from your agency permitting you to work the detail. You must include a copy of your Driver’s License and a copy of your Social Security Card (Mandatory).
If you have any questions, please call Kitty Jo Paboucek at 740-695-7933, Extension 115 or Captain Ron Everett at 740-695-7933, Extension 120.
Press Release 4/21/2011 – Website Launch
Sheriff Fred Thompson would like to announce the launch of our re-vamped website found at www.belmontsheriff.com
We are currently working with Brock Rogers, owner & designer for “10T Web Design” of Barnesville, Ohio, a Belmont County Company. This relationship has brought a new, more user friendly, interactive web site for the public. He listened to what we wanted to achieve and we continue to work towards what our residents need.
Our Home page provides direct links to Amber Alerts, The National Weather Service and the Sex Offender Registry. Winter Road Advisories will be updated on our Home page as well.
Under “Departments” a description of the responsibilities and duties are listed for many of our individual departments and there is a section that allows the public to “voice” comments and concerns. A contact list of phone extensions are available for the public that are placing calls to the Sheriff’s Office.
A listing of all Belmont County Sheriff’s Sales of Foreclosure Properties can be accessed though the web site under “Sheriff’s Sales”. A picture, bidding information and requirements is available with a list of frequently asked questions.
The “Jail” Section provides answers to a lot of frequently asked questions and will, in the future, will provide current listings of prisoner population. This section answers many questions concerning public access to the prisoner.
The “Concealed Carry” Section is available to those wanting to obtain a permit. This section will answer your questions, tell you who and when to contact for an appointment to obtain your permit along with qualifications and requirements.
The “Information” Section tells you how to contact us, provides available forms, a Get Help section with a list of county agencies, Road closures and a wanted section will post information on persons or information wanted in Belmont County.
The “News” section will be updated regularly with news about the “goings on” in our office. This useful information will keep the public informed. In addition to the news being posted on the website, it will also be published to an RSS news feed.
Please use our site and let us know what you think. Sheriff Thompson wants the residents of Belmont County to have as much access to his office as needed.
Grant Funding
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded grant funds for 2011. We want to share with you how those funds will be used.
The State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office $50,000.00 for the ESORN/Training Officer Position. This Grant funding is in accordance with the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). These funds pay 75% of the officer’s wages, fringes and training related expenses. This dual Law Enforcement position is being administered by Sgt. J. Zusack. Sgt. Zusack, as E-SORN Office is responsible for the registration, monitoring and interviewing of the over 300 convicted sex offenders that reside in Belmont County. He monitors the workplace, schools and registered residence of all offenders. Sgt. Zusack is responsible for keeping this agency in compliance with the Adam Walsh Act for Sex Offenders. As the E-SORN Officer, Sgt. Zusack meets with community organizations and schools to educate them on the rules of compliance in handling sex offenders.
As the Training Officer, Sgt Zusack is responsible for the training, certification and qualification records for all Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement staff. Sgt. Zusack, as a certified instructor, instructs our staff on different facets of the profession and is available to other agencies upon request.
The State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office $44,597.91 for the Personal Crimes Investigator Position. This Grant funding is in accordance with the provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These funds pay 75% of the wages, fringes and related expenses for one officer. Detective Doug Cruse is one of two investigators in this division. He is responsible in part for the investigation through prosecution of reported crimes of Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes reported in our county. This unit also provides assistance to other local law enforcement agencies. Unit Investigators are provided on going training enabling them to be local experts on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. This Unit works with many agencies such as the Belmont County Domestic Violence Task Force and the Belmont County Prosecutor. Detective Cruse works with Detective Ryan Allar in this Unit of the Detective Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol.
The State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office $17,574.00 for the Belmont County Drug Task Force. The Grant funding is in accordance with the Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund (DLEF). These funds pay 25% of the wages and related expenses for one officer. This officer works with other Belmont County Drug Task Force personnel. The objectives of this grant funding are to increase the public education forums and increase the task force awareness by increasing the number of calls to the Drug Tip Line.
Stay up to Date on Sheriff Office News
As part of the new website for the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, you can stay up to date on news with RSS News Feeds. By using these feeds and your favorite RSS aggregator (like Google Reader, you can stay up to date on Sheriff Sales, Snow Emergency Levels, Road Closures, Wanted Individuals, or, if you like, all of them combined.
Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Website Relaunch
Everyone at the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to the newly redesigned website.
Some of the features of the new website include easier to navigate Sheriff Sale pages, RSS News feeds to help you stay up to date, and much more.
Please take a look around and, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email us.