Sheriff's report reveals alarming rise in drug arrests

During a recent government meeting, the sheriff's department provided a comprehensive report detailing law enforcement activities and jail statistics from April to June. Sheriff Brian highlighted that there were 85 arrests in the last quarter, bringing the year-to-date total to 150. Additionally, the department issued 156 citations during the same period, with a cumulative total of 378 for the year. The department received 186 complaints to investigate and responded to 1,578 calls for service, totaling 3,283 year-to-date.

The jail population report indicated 114 bookings from April to July, with a daily average of 38 inmates held in the facility. The report also noted a concerning trend in drug-related arrests, particularly involving fentanyl, with a significant bust involving 111 grams of the substance linked to an individual from Chicago. Sheriff Brian acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by drug charges, which have remained steady.

Mental health issues were also a focal point of the discussion, particularly regarding the transportation of individuals requiring mental health holds. The sheriff mentioned that the closure of beds at local facilities has necessitated transporting individuals to Winnebago in Oshkosh, a situation that is unlikely to change soon without legislative action.

In a significant development, the sheriff's department has received a $228,000 grant through the opioid settlement to implement a medical-assisted treatment (MAT) program in the jail. This initiative aims to provide support for inmates struggling with fentanyl addiction, with a newly hired case manager overseeing the administration of medications and post-release planning to reduce recidivism.

Emergency Management Director Christina Zwankowski reported on ongoing efforts to update the county's hazard mitigation plan, with public comment meetings scheduled for August. She also discussed the need for a mass notification system, particularly highlighted by a recent 911 outage in the southern part of the county. Zwankowski is exploring options for a new system to enhance communication during emergencies.

Furthermore, she provided updates on various training sessions and grant applications aimed at improving emergency response capabilities, including a request for $3.45 million from Senator Tammy Baldwin for a complete overhaul of the county's radio infrastructure.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and emergency management in Ashland County, particularly in addressing drug-related issues and enhancing mental health support services.