I want to start out this week and thank God for his blessing and protection in the Sheriff's office. When I read of the attacks on officers all across this great nation of ours, it makes for many sleepless nights worrying about my staff. Law enforcement in and of itself is extremely dangerous work, yet when you have criminals who target law enforcement, it pushes it to a new level. I am very grateful that we work in a county like San Saba with so many good God fearing people, but also know that no matter how wonderful the community or how peaceful it may seem, there is always the element of danger. I ask that you not only pray for law enforcement but for all our EMS and Fire personnel as well.

I started this week out reminding myself and others of what a wonderful community that we are blessed to live in. I also would not be doing my job if I did not make sure that we are all aware of the situation developing on our streets here in the City of San Saba and across the county as well. While we do not have a drug problem that will make national attention, we do have a situation that is developing that can and will cost this community big time, both now and in the future if we don't act now. The amount of marijuana and methamphetamine on the streets right now is probably the second highest level that I have seen in my 15 years here in San Saba. The only time I have seen it worse was when we were fighting the methamphetamine labs for that two year period, but that was a different type of methamphetamine. We must make sure that we focus all our resources on this situation and that law enforcement is working aggressively and pro-actively each and every day on the streets, in the schools and with this community. It falls on all of us to focus on this situation, work together and move forward toward the goal of no drugs in this community, no drunk drivers and a safer and cleaner community. We will never eliminate drugs from this community, but if that is our goal then think how much closer we will come to it if we work towards that goal of zero dugs on our streets.

I believe that if we work together and pray together, then there is nothing that this community cannot accomplish. I also believe that we are going through tough times right now, but with God's help, we are one day closer to better times. When we fought the methamphetamine labs here in San Saba, the Community stood up as one, became educated about our enemy and hit the problem from all directions. That is exactly what we are going to do again. The Sheriff's Office will be continuing our classes on narcotics and community policing. We will be having a meeting at the end of this month in Richland Springs and the first of September in San Saba. We will announce the date, time and place later. Please take a few minutes to attend these meetings and do your part. It doesn't matter how old you are, married, single, short, or tall, we must all do our part in order for this to be successful. We must take back our community and hold the line that we establish in the near future. We all want to see San Saba, Richland Springs and Cherokee grow in a positive way and those business owners to prosper. Yet if we do not have proactive law enforcement and proactive community involvement, then only the criminals will prosper. Let's all work together to show those communities around us just how wonderful San Saba is and why they should come here and bring their families to visit and vacation.

We are seeing a lot of prowling out in the county. We need everyone to call in suspicious vehicles that are in your area. Without your assistance, then the deputies are just taking a shot in the dark about where the crooks might be. Call in and give the dispatcher your name and number and make sure that you stay on the line. Make sure that you report direction of travel, color of the vehicle, make and model if you can. We need all of the help we can get. Just this past week cattle were stolen, the North San Saba water plant was damaged by vandals and mail boxes were trashed out west. I don't know about you, but I'm really sick of this kind of behavior by a few that effects so many of us. Please be sure to call us and put us in the right spot.

We will have Emmett MiKenley coming around to visit with the businesses this week. He is one of the individuals who helps us provide material to use in the schools to educate. This year, there is a new book out for the community that will help educate against identity theft and other crimes against the public. If you can make a purchase and support this program, it goes a very long way to assist us in our education programs. Thank you for all your prayers and assistance and please report anything suspicious.