On this morning’s Coffeebreak:
Rick’s guest was Harrison County Sheriff Bruce Hampton.
Comment was made of the FEMA trailers neighboring the Sheriff’s Office.
Rick asked Hampton to speak a bit more on the burglaries that took place this past Sunday on Old Lair Road. Sheriff Hampton explained that when Kevin Landrum came home, he wasn’t aware that his home was being burglarized. Mr. Landrum proceeded to his bedroom, when he found the suspect, Thomas Perysian, climbing in through a window. On a related note, Rick asked Sheriff Hampton about a service that the Sheriff’s Department will be offering citizens, with regard of “digitally recording” property. Sheriff Hampton explained that work on the effort has been slowed due to the office being busy with recent activities. Hampton also announced to the public that his office is currently short one deputy; Deputy Wayne Fryman is currently on medical leave for recovery from heart surgery.
Rick asked Hampton how he has been able to keep the office staffed with local personnel, noting that he had noticed that the Cynthiana Police Department has numerous new faces, many of which from out of town. Hampton said that he was simply lucky.
A story covered by local television raised a question on the differences between area departments. Early this morning in Lexington, cattle were found loose in the area of The Red Mile. When one cow became aggressive and butted an officer, assisting officers fired and killed the animal. Rick asked Hampton if that sort of incident has ever happened to him. Hampton explained that it’s a fairly common occurrence in Harrison County for the Sheriff’s Department to respond to a call of loose livestock. While Hampton could not recall any incident of killing a charging cow, he states that often they have been faced with having to put down an animal which has been struck by a vehicle.
Rick asked whether there have been any leads in the robbery of the Oddville Avenue branch of Farmers National Bank. Sheriff Hampton said that there is a lead that is being followed. He further alluded to there being DNA evidence recovered, which is being processed against evidence in other cases.
Rick mentioned Sheriff Hampton’s return to the board of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association. Hampton had previously served as president of the association, and currently serves as third vice-president.
Discussion was made on Hampton’s involvement with the security at the Justice Center. Hampton explained that the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department has six officers which perform security duties at the Justice Center, and that he feels that there is a need for an additional officer. Rick poised the question if any of the bailiffs have faced anything similar to the event that happened in Scott County, referring to the incident where Peter Hafer punched his lawyer in court.
Further discussion went to the topics of property taxes, conceal and carry licenses, the department’s hazardous retirement benefits, and a bill which would modify the laws regarding incarceration alternatives [SB 72].
Sponsors for this morning’s Coffeebreak were:
Shelter Mutual Insurance, Aurora Information Systems, the Harrison County Board of Education, Whalen & Company, Eastside Pharmacy, Jetubs, Cockrell’s Auto Center, and the First United Methodist Church.
WCYN makes available to the public audio copies of Coffeebreak, however recordings are only archived for a period of five business days. Cassette copies are $5 and CD copies are $10. The views and opinions expressed on today’s Coffeebreak have been those of the guest and host and are not necessarily those of WCYN staff, management, or advertisers.
