Sheriff's office to purchase body cameras
<p class="p1">In what's become a growing trend among law enforcement agencies nationwide, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office will be purchasing two body cameras for its correctional officers at the County Jail.
<p class="p1">During last week's meeting of the County Board, Kyle Shell, regional risk manager with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust, presented Sheriff Shannon Wolff with a check for $405.48.
<p class="p1">That amount will cover the cost of one body camera, while Wolff said the other will be purchased from inmate commissary funds.
<p class="p1">"What is a concern of mine is the hallways have cameras, but no cameras in the cell blocks," Wolff said.
<p class="p1">Wolff said the jailers on duty will wear the cameras so that if an incident occurs, they can be turned on.
<p class="p1">"I think it will help use of force issues at the jail," he said.
<p class="p1">The body cameras will be purchased from Taser International. Also in attendance for the presentation was Kevin Kern, from Snedeker Risk Management Group.
<p class="p1">"We've had a great relationship with Sheriff Wolff," Kern said.
<p class="p1">Wolff noted that he is still working with Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker to determine the length of time the sheriff's office is required to hold on to the data from the cameras.
<p class="p1">"We're still working out the bugs on how we're going to keep these files," he said.
<p class="p1">In other news, the commissioners approved a contract for replacement of the jail roof. Geissler Roofing, which has recently done the roofs at Chester Grade School and other projects in the county, was the lowest of five bidders at $174,608.
<p class="p1">"Every one of these bidders I'd feel comfortable recommending," said Commissioner Dave Holder.
<p class="p1">Quadrant Design architect Michael Schneider, the county's architect, noted that his company will oversee the roof work, not Honeywell. Honeywell is overseeing the renovations to the Randolph County Courthouse.
<p class="p1">Schneider added that the work won't start before Oct. 6, with the project estimated to be complete between Nov. 7 and Jan. 31.
<p class="p1">"That sounds like a horrible time to put on a roof, but the glue membranes are certified to be put on at 38 degrees," said Schneider, who also explained that the three-month window was more to allow Geissler time for good weather than how long the project will last.
<p class="p1">Roundup
<p class="p1">• General assistance claims for the period were $1,220 with expenses of $100 and administrative costs of $1,712.20.
<p class="p1">• The Randolph County Care Center reported 65 residents.
<p class="p1">• The board approved a delinquent tax sale resolution to the City of Chester.
<p class="p1">• Board Chairman Marc Kiehna gave another update on the courthouse renovations and also spoke on the running cost of the project itself.
<p class="p1">"We should have a little contingency left from the bonds," he said, referring to the voter-authorized $2.95 million in bonds being used to finance the projects at the courthouse and jail.
<p class="p1">• The board appointed the following people to the Randolph County Zoning Board of Appeals: Trevar Vasquez (5-year term), Mike Prest (5-year term) and Scott Knop.
<p class="p1">• The board appointed Steve Gonzalez to the Edgar Lakes Drainage District on a three-year term.
<p class="p1">• The board appointed Richard Guebert Jr. to the Prairie du Rocher and Modoc Levee and Drainage District on a three-year term.