By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Aug. 1, 2001
The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department needs at least two more volunteers before it can create a mounted auxiliary patrol.
Sheriff Billy Sollie and his deputies discussed the proposed patrol with interested residents at a meeting Monday. Although eight people signed up, at least 10 are needed to form a training class.
The patrol would operate within the existing division of auxiliary deputies of the sheriff's department. The mounted unit would assist the department in search and rescue operations; it also would help patrol parking lots and large outside events.
The course lasts eight to 10 weeks, he said. Volunteers must provide their own horses for the patrol. Sollie didn't know if his office, the volunteers or both will pay for the course.
If enough people sign up for the program, Sollie said training could start by late September or early October and the mounted patrol could be operational by the first of the year.
Anyone interested in joining should call the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department at 482-9806.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.