The Starke County Commissioners will discuss the courthouse elevator bid when they meet tonight.
Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight where EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie will have an update for the board while Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will provide information on where the department stands on spring and summer operations.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Use of Force Policy for Community Corrections
Starke County Community Corrections officers who choose to undergo initial and continuing education training can carry firearms on duty after action Monday by the Starke County Commissioners. Program Coordinator Shawn Mattraw says the community corrections board approved a use of force policy, which was also reviewed by county attorney Marty Lucas.
Sentencing Policy Study Committee to Visit Starke County
“Starke County, as well as seven additional Indiana counties, has been chosen to participate in the sentencing policy study committee. It’s quite an honor.”
Shawn Mattraw Selected as Director of Community Corrections Association
Shawn Mattraw, a member of the Starke County Community Corrections staff, has been selected to be the Northwest District Director for the association. In this capacity, Shawn will organize training for district members in Evidence Based Program initiatives.
“It’s going to give me greater responsibility, not just at the local level of Community Corrections, but also at the state level in terms of overall policy development any revisions with statutes and things like that that impact and affect anybody in the Northwest region,” explained Mattraw. “The Northwest region, including Starke County, consists of 12 other counties. It’s a task I’m really looking forward to. It gives me an opportunity to broaden my experiences and develop things more at the state level that impact us all in Community Corrections.”
50 Offenders are Part of Starke County’s Community Corrections Program
The Community Corrections program in Starke County is providing an alternative for jail time for some prisoners who qualify. Shawn Mattraw, Case Manager, talked with Ted Hayes recently about the programs available.
Ted asked about the number of clients Community Corrections has.
“We currently have 50 under our supervision,” Mattraw replied. “We have been the mid-60s and we were probably in the mid-60s for about two consecutive months.”
Starke County Home Detention Participants Will be Closely Monitored this New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a dangerous time for many people, especially those who decide to party, drink a little too much, and attempt to drive home.
Another group that enters the danger zone are those individuals who are on home detention. Many of this group has had trouble with drugs and alcohol in the past, and holiday times can be tempting to violate the home monitoring rule that calls for no drinking.
Shawn Mattraw is the Case Manager/Senior Field Officer for the Starke County Community Corrections organization, and he says this is a difficult time for some of the participants.
