Western Kentucky law enforcement agencies implementing “Badges of Hope”

We all agree that drugs are the root cause to majority of other crimes that subsequently affect our communities. Our efforts on the front lines to combat this problem and to make McCracken County a community that is safe to raise our families and impossible for the criminal element to ever become comfortable has and will continue to be one of our top priorities. Over the past year the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office has directly seized or been responsible for the seizure of in excess of 200 pounds of Crystal Methamphetamine (a street value of over a Billion dollars) that never had an opportunity to poison our community or cast disruption into the lives of the many law abiding citizens that call McCracken County and Western Kentucky home.

Drug traffickers need essentially two things to thrive, the lack of vigorous enforcement and a customer base. We are committed today more than ever to identify, seek, and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who chooses a lifestyle that targets those addicted and making a living off of selling their various poisons. I would like to remind you, this is not a safe place for you and you are not welcomed here!

To those battling addiction or know someone that is, we have great news for you which I believe will assist in eliminating the drug traffickers “customer base”.

Today I’m excited and optimistic to announce an alliance that has formed between the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and The Kentucky Addiction Center. This alliance has been named “Badges Of Hope” which consist of grass root efforts to provide victims of addictions hope for their future by providing access to free opportunities to receive compassionate, caring drug rehabilitation services. I’m equally excited to announce a united front between Western KY law enforcement and other rehab facilities, many of which are present here today.

Other counties and sheriff’s agreeing to implement “Badges Of Hope” in their own respected jurisdictions include:

Ballard County Sheriff Ronnie Giles, Marshall County Sheriff Eddie McGuire, Livingston County Sheriff Bobby Davidson, Calloway County Sheriff Sam Steger, Fulton County Sheriff Derek Goodson, Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden, Carlisle County Sheriff Will Gilbert, Hickman County Sheriff Ben Natividad, Lyon County Sheriff Brent White, Trigg County Sheriff Jason Barnes, and the Paducah Police Department.

Effective immediately, if you desire help for your addiction we are offering the “Badges Of Hope” program that I believe will help change lives. All one must do, if you are a McCracken County Citizen is call the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office at 270 444 4719 and a deputy sheriff will provide free transportation and get you started with this program. One must understand this is not to negate incarceration if you are wanted, or found in possession or trafficking drugs, instead this is a way for anyone suffering and battling addiction to gain assistance before it is too late. It’s about courage and being courageous.

Courage must meet for this to become a success. It must be made up of courageous men and women that wear the badge and care for their communities connecting with courageous victims that are struggling with addiction and supported by courageous men and women in our community to provide additional avenues for them to become and maintain success through employment opportunities, and support.

I believe this will be yet another way we will make our communities the greatest in the Commonwealth.

In closing I want to thank Kentucky Rehab Centers for reaching out to me and making this program accessible. I also want to thank the other sheriff’s for their support and eager willingness to provide “Badges Of Hope” to the citizens within their respected counties. I truly believe our jointed efforts will have a positive impact across western Kentucky.