Sergeant Kelly McCool and his K-9 partner, Chase, who is six years old. McCool explains that drugs are hidden in the room for Ace to locate. Chase did not participate due to his method of alerting (digging) which could result in damage to the flooring. Photo by Becky Foster
MEADVIEW – On Thursday, February 6, the COM (Community of Meadview) meeting hosted K-9s from the MCSO (Mohave County Sheriff’s Office). The dogs, as well as Sheriff Schuster and his staffers, were a hit with attendees.
Schuster, who was recently re-elected to a third term, gave an update on his accomplishments during his first two terms. He mentioned that he has been with the MCSO for nearly 35 years.
He informed the group that when he first took office, the department’s vacancy rate was more than 40%; however, staffing and pay rates have increased under his administration.
“We are a rural county and have a lot of area to cover (and) we don’t have a huge tax base. We have to be competitive with the local police departments,” he explained.
There are deputies who left other agencies to join the MCSO, he said. “Why is that important?” he asked. “It shows that we have beaten the stigma of being kind of a hillbilly agency and have grown into a well-respected agency, the leading agency in this county, and that is the way it should be.”
He further stated the department is down about 40 deputies from an optimum level and encouraged residents to contact the county supervisors to request funding for more deputies.
Schuster introduced members of his staff before fielding a variety of questions from the audience. K-9 handlers Sgt. Kelly McCool, with K-9, Chase as well as Deputy Al Gonzalez, with K-9, Ace provided a demonstration with the dogs showing how the dogs detect drugs.
Schuster added that the K-9 program is totally funded by donations which totaled $300,000 and include the purchase of the dogs, veterinarian services, food and training for both the handlers and the dogs.
In other business, President Jonathan Kiser announced that the group, Friends of the Arizona Joshua Tree Forest will be immediately dissolved by its Board of Directors due to “serious on-going concerns” of the directors as well as a lack of volunteers. The group has been in existence for 13 years. Kiser said it will take several months to dissolve the group. He added that one project that will be continued is the application for dark sky certification.
He read a letter from the group and stated, “It pains me to read (the letter) but hopefully it will be a beck and call for someone to step up and sort of take the reins”.
“Those of you who have attended these COM meetings for years know the passion, time and perseverance that this group has put into this project,” he stated. “The ultimate goal was to reach national monument status for our lovely and dense Joshua tree forest which is the 3rd largest in the world and number one in density in the world. This has been an award-winning group.”
Many groups provided reports including the Quail Club which provides scholarships; LMRFD (Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire District) which includes Meadview and covers 2200 square miles; and litter control.
Karen Podolak-Stacy introduced Meadview Milton and gave a report on litter control. Milton reportedly saw his shadow so there will be six more weeks of winter.
Becky Foster
