Monroe County Sheriff's Department Update

In uncertain times we think communication is key. Things have been busy and developed quickly with the COVID-19 pandemic so I wanted to address the fact that your Sheriff’s Office has been hard at work for you during this trying time. The first case of the novel coronavirus 2020 in Missouri was reported on March 6, 2020 in Saint Louis County. There had obviously been cases in other parts of the US prior to this, which led to initial discussions within your local government on how to address these issues. We did not want to overreact but at the same time wanted to make informed and responsible decisions. Chief Deputy Joe Colston attended a local emergency planning district meeting on March 16, 2020. The district covers all of region B in Missouri. Representatives with local first responders, health department officials, the American Red Cross, and county Emergency Management Directors from several counties were present. This led to initial talks on preparedness and strategies being considered in other parts of the region.

Chief Deputy Joe Colston attended a meeting at the Monroe County Health Department on March 17, 2020 with Monroe County EMD Steve Jones, representatives of the County Commission, first responders, and local school administration from nearly every school in the county. At this meeting we talked with a regional epidemiologist to get better insight on the progression of the virus and what to expect within our communities.

Sheriff David Hoffman and Chief Deputy Joe Colston attended several smaller meetings to comply with social distancing standards with the County Commission, County Emergency Management Director Steve Jones, Deputy EMD Cory Putnam, Health Department Director Paula Delany, and Ambulance District Directors Clay Joiner (Monroe County Ambulance District) and Blair Joiner (Monroe City Ambulance District). These meetings served to determine what guidance should be given to the citizens of Monroe County, what precautions should be taken by first responders, what precautions should be taken at the courthouse to assure continuity in county government functions, and locating and distributing personal protective equipment to all first responders in the county.

The way we have done business drastically changed. Very strict security measures were taken at the courthouse. Most in person court hearings were postponed. Foot traffic within the courthouse was almost completely restricted to employees and screening procedures were put in place for all employees working in the building. However the county offices have continued to work.

I’m particularly proud of the fact that every deputy at the Sheriff’s Office has showed up for their scheduled shifts daily. From March 6, 2020 to the present your Sheriff’s Office has responded to 210 calls for service. We have also fielded multiple phone calls. The phones have not went unanswered. Just some examples that the deputies are still hard at work include the recovery of three stolen vehicles, they’ve responded to several domestic disturbance calls, assisted in locating a vehicle, which had attempted to elude a municipal officer, and are still actively patrolling the county and taking reports. We have also conducted several court hearings via video and have transported inmates to the department of corrections.

We have received several calls with questions about CCW permits. We are currently extending all CCW permits without any penalty until after the social distancing guidelines are lifted.

We are also still maintaining the county’s sex offender registration. Those required to report are checking in with staff by telephone and updating all information as required.

Our overall call volume has decreased some and with the building closed we don’t have as many walk-ins to address so we have taken advantage of the extra time to replace some aging equipment in three of our patrol vehicles. This is equipment that we already had on hand that had not been installed. We try to do this in house to reduce costs when possible.

I just wanted to share the fact that even with the restrictions in place, your Sheriff’s Office has remained busy. This isn’t for recognition, I just wanted to pass along that we are still working for you during this unprecedented time. I would however like to recognize our community spirit. I have watched professionals tirelessly try to assess the situation and stay ahead of it as best they can. I have seen volunteers delivering meals to the elderly and to shut-ins, I have seen school staff preparing and passing out meals for students, I have seen teachers reaching out to their students via video to continue to have an impact on them and give them learning opportunities. I have seen people checking on their neighbors who may not have contact with many other people. I also think the fact that as of today Monroe County has had zero confirmed cases speaks volumes about how our community has taken this epidemic seriously and have been very responsible in their actions.

Finally I would like to also recognize an underappreciated group of people. I would like to recognize the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, clinics, and emergency medical professionals who are dealing with this epidemic on a whole other level than most of us. They are seeing it every day. They are risking exposure every day. I’ve seen first-hand, paramedics come home and worry about kissing their significant other and worry about hugging and cuddling their children. All these folks still continue to go to work and fight this epidemic day in and day out. They deserve our respect and support.

Chief Deputy Joe Colston