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Cedar Grove Police Leave Behind 30 Open Cases
10/27/08 - 04:32 PM
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The Bay County Sheriff’s Office is still settling in at the former Cedar Grove Police Department.  Police are gone, but some of their work is unfinished.  The Bay County Sheriff’s Office now faces multiple unresolved cases and trying to find the victims.

Sheriff investigators took over more than 30 unresolved cases, mainly burglaries and theft. 

“We’re still finding them,” says Sheriff Frank McKeithen.  “We’ve got several boxes of reports and we’re going through files and finding other cases.  We’ve actually been able to clear some of the cases.  People were in jail and cases were still open and we’ve been able to clear some of those cases and get some of their property back.”

McKeithen says the Sheriff’s Office is still contacting recent crime victims.  He also may have to contact former Cedar Grove Officers.

“We’ll still have to serve subpoenas for court on cases that were made prior to us taking over.”

The Sheriff has more housekeeping.  He assigned Sgt. Gary Goodson as crime prevention officer to oversee Cedar Grove operations.

“What I’m doing right now in this first week is I’m going out to each business and trying to be seen in the neighborhood so people are more comfortable so they can come to me,” Goodson said.

In addition to the Crime Prevention Officer, Sheriff Frank McKeithen says he’ll need to hire eight new deputies to patrol the area.  With more deputies means he’ll need more money.  So he’ll have to file for a budget amendment with the county for $638,000.

McKeithen says is would cost 50,000 to provide a $30,000 a year position.  “You would have to pay retirement then fuel and vehicle and insurance.”

The Sheriff plans to have 2 deputies on patrol in Cedar Grove at all times.

Investigators are still working to reach victims of recent crimes.  If you were a victim in a recent crime in Cedar Grove and have not been contacted by authorities, you’re asked to call Bay County Sheriff’s Office at 747-4700.