Freestone County Commissioners Court approved the patrol of county roads near Oakwood by that city’s police officers at its Wednesday, March 5, meeting.
The court approved the continuation of the patrol help over the objection of Sheriff Jeremy Shipley. “I don’t think it’s necessary,” the sheriff said. “I was never in favor of it. That’s one of the safest places in the entire county. We’re there, and we’re going to handle whatever we need to do.”
Oakwood Chief of Police Ryan Cate asked the court to allow him and his officer to continue the ongoing patrols. He noted Oakwood’s proximity to the county roads that include CR 300, CR 301, CR 311, CR 321 and others often allow quicker response times than can be provided by sheriff’s deputies.
“The sheriff thought it was a great idea at first,” Cate said. “The community just loves us out there. We’re a quick response. We want to keep doing what we are doing.”
Cate added in addition to other police activities, he sometimes helps get cows off county roads after they escape pastures.
Lane said he received multiple calls and letters from residents of the area protesting the possible discontinuation of the patrols by Oakwood police when they learned it might happen. The court tabled the issue Feb. 19 after commissioners’ votes tied, and County Judge Linda K. Grant said she wanted more information about the county’s potential liability before deciding.
Lane said the issue arose because someone got a ticket on a county road from an Oakwood police officer and complained, raising an issue about jurisdiction.
“We’re getting more law enforcement, and it doesn’t cost us anything,” said Lane, who made the motion to approve the patrol agreement. “We’d be looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
Freestone County District Attorney Brian Evans told Grant that the county should not incur liability if such an issue arose from the actions of an Oakwood law enforcement officer because of an indemnity clause in the agreement. If both Oakwood police, who have all police powers on county roads under the agreement, and the sheriff’s department were involved in an incident, there could be the possibility of liability, he added.
Grant broke the tie with her vote to approve the patrols after hearing from Evans. Precinct 3 Commissioner Lloyd Lane and Precinct 2 Commissioner Will McSwane approved the motion while Precinct 4 Commissioner Clyde Ridge Jr. and Precinct 1 Commissioner Andy Bonner opposed it.
In other action, the court:
• Denied a request by Precinct 2 Constable Jake Fitch to appoint a reserve deputy who would receive no pay or benefits and would not be in the field but helping in the office. Precinct 2 Commissioner Will McSwane declined to support Fitch’s request. “I’m not in favor of opening this door,” McSwane said. “I don’t know where this may lead to down the road.”
• Approved spending $3,000 to buy car and body cams for Precinct 2 and 3 Constables.
• Approved EOS and EFORCE software for emergency medical services and law enforcement.
• Approved a matching grant for the Teague Volunteer Fire Department for $27,500. The county will be reimbursed $25,000 so the net cost will be $2,500.
• Took no action on issuing a burn ban.
