Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office's Camp HERO is returning for another year.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Merit Board heard that news at its meeting Thursday from KCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light and Sheriff Jim Smith.
The camp, whose name stands for "Honor, Excellence, Respect, Opportunity," was started by Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes' administration in 2019. Through it, kids learn about the roles of police, EMS and firefighters, as well as skills such as first aid.
This year's camp is Aug. 2-4 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
Registration started at the beginning of June, with the 120 spots full "in under three hours," Light said. Officers' kids are also welcome to attend, making the number of campers "probably ... pushing about 150," he said.
A change this year is the camp is free to participants, with Smith noting that was important to him.
"I didn't want (the cost) to be the reason why someone couldn't go to camp," he said. "Rather, what we did instead was partner with different organizations and people throughout the community to help pay for this camp.
"It's just truly humbling and exciting to see all the different people and organizations come forward to help the kids," Smith added.
He thanked Light and Cpl. Justin Smith for organizing the camp.
Merit Board member Tony Garza noted he had previously offered to put forth money for a college scholarship to be given to kids who stood out at the camp. He said he was still willing to give money for such a fund, with Smith agreeing to it.
The board also heard about how KCSO is working to improve its sex offender registry process.
Chief Deputy Chris McKeand said a room, which had previously been used for visitations, has been converted for dealing with that. Patrol Commander Lt. Mike Mulligan said Melissa Rees, who just retired as Claypool Elementary School principal, is going to work at least temporarily with helping handle the registry.
In response to a question from Garza, Mulligan estimated there were around 135 offenders in the county.
The board also heard from Smith "one of two family support meetings" related to Jail Chemical Addiction Program (JCAP) was held this week.
"(JCAP Coordinator) Casey (Trombley) felt (it) was important ... to meet with the actual family members of the JCAP participants to help them ... (assist) their loved ones to reenter society," he said.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Mulligan the KCSO's newest officer, Matthew Francis, is moving along in his training. Smith said Francis should be headed to the police academy "within ... the next year."
• Heard from Mulligan KCSO is continuing to work on the process for new body cameras for deputies. Smith said corrections staff's new cameras have been operational for a few weeks.
• Heard from Smith there were 284 inmates in the Kosciusko County Jail as of Thursday morning, with 23% being women. There were also 77 people out at Kosciusko County Work Release, with around 30% being women.
• Heard a reminder from Smith the current class of JCAP will graduate at 3 p.m. June 23 in the Kosciusko County Courthouse's Old Courtroom. The public is welcome to attend.
• Heard from Smith the KCSO's new jail drug detecting dog, Buck, graduates from training today.
• Heard from Light KCSO had 1,777 calls for service in April, with 2,081 in May.
