The  chiefs of the fire departments in Izard County and Sheriff Tate Lawrence laid the ground work for a joint  program at a recent meeting at the Zion Fire Department.  The program called “Sheriff’s Alert” is  a cooperative program between all the fire departments and the sheriff’s department.  The program is basically an arrangement whereby the sheriff’s department will call upon the assistance of fire department members when attempting to locate a particular vehicle or person when time is critical.  Information will be forwarded by way of  group text messages  to fire department members stating specifically what or who the sheriff’s department is looking for.  Sheriff Lawrence said the program will be extremely helpful when the department is looking for a hit and run driver, a child abduction situation, and many other  emergency matters when time is of the essence.

This is really an extension of the eyes and the ears of the  sheriff’s department and   true example of community policing. . In the daily routine of the members of the eleven fire departments in the county, these fire department members are spread throughout the county.  Chief Justin Sanders of Calico Rock along with Chief Mike Stephens of Pineville, Chief Keith Brown of Zion, Chief Mike Hilliker of Horseshoe Bend , Chief Lindell Tanner of Franklin and others remarked that this program will provide a valuable service to the citizens of Izard County and will enhance our public safety efforts.

Sheriff Lawrence said that he hoped the program to be fully functional within the next few days. Lawrence ce also expressed his appreciation to the fire departments for the services they provide and commended them for being an active participant in the “Sheriff‘s Alert“ program.

News Release
For Immediate Release
October 14, 2010
POC: Sheriff Tate Lawrence
870-368-4203