Have some tournaments with a portion going to the cause.

As some of you have posted, I too am local law enforcement officer in the east Texas area and also run a guide service on Lake Fork. I have been the victim of these idiots coming in from the water stealing my property as well as others that are the same rv park. This is a seriously problem that needs addressing, not turning of a head like it doesn't exist!

I believe the sheriff is on the right track and give him all the support he needs.

I've donated my time and boat to the sheriffs office when it is needed. Hopefully it is never needed.

Side note....if any of you iidiots are caught on my dock and caught anywhere else I would imagine, you won't have to worry about the sheriffs office being called. One thing I've learned about Lake Fork folks, they like to handle things themselves!

I would think that would be the Game Warden's job. They don't just look out for fishing/boating violations. The RV parks and housing communities should start a crime watch with active patrols. Kudo's to the the sheriff for wanting to do this but I think everyone should do their part.

Law enforcement is generally reactive, meaning they respond to crimes already committed, collect the evidence, follow leads and put the case together for the prosecution. There are some nuances with rural counties that cause unique problems that are not easily solved. Geography, severely limited budgets, diverse demographics of the citizenry and the list goes on and on. Sheriff Brown is fully aware of these issues and is attempting to take a proactive approach to solving the issues of crime here in Wood County. He took office on January 1st and up to this point has exceeded my expectations in following through with what he campaigned on. He is without a doubt going to make some mistakes and possibly rub some people the wrong way, but he is putting himself out there and not following the status quo and I applaud him for that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with questioning his approach or methods and he would encourage your input.

@ Easy Fisherman, What doesn�t add up? Please enlighten me. The Sheriff wants to help us and is asking for support. It is not that hard to add up. His job is not to protect visitor�s rods & reels? I don�t understand that comment either. I feel for your neighbor who had all of his rifles stolen from his truck at Lake Lydia. That shouldn�t have happen but sadly it does. In the world we live in today [censored] happens. It�s sad, but it is fact. Property owners have to take a proactive approach as well and secure their property responsibly, especially, firearms. Did he say he was going to suspend land patrols in lieu of lake patrols? No he didn�t. A common misconception is that it is law enforcement�s responsibility to protect us and that is perpetuated by slogans such as �Protect and Serve� on the side of police cars. However, the primary responsibility for you, your family along with your property rest with you! Google Warren vs. DC, Castlerock vs.Gonzales. We are responsible and when law enforcement reaches out and asks us for help us achieve the desired goal, we should embrace it.

If you wish to help with money, ideas, donating, volunteering resources or time, simply give a thumbs up or pat on the back, please do so. If you only wish to complain and not offer support, you may want to re-think your position. My two cents.

Only vehicle/boat grant programs i am aware of is through USDA

You know I've been thinking about this. Every time there is a property crime at Lake Fork, we get four to five pages of complaints. "The police aren't doing enough, we need to set up a sting, I'll gladly contribute to hire an off-duty sheriff to guard our stuff during tournaments, the marinas should pay for increased security", and on and on.

Now we have a Sheriff who is reaching out for the public's help. He doesn't have the budget and we, as either Wood County property owners or visitors, have the opportunity to put our money or time, where our mouths are.

I don't ever disclose my charitable giving, publicly. In this case, I'm going to make an exception in the hopes it will get some of you off dead center.

I just spoke to the Sheriff's assistant, Toni, and have pledged a donation of $500 for this very worthy cause. Please join me and give what you can.

I would think the insurance industry may be a good place to look for donations to help fund some proactive law enforcement tactics. I am sure they pay out greatly on theft claims in the Wood County area....

I agree

fouzman do you have the contact info?

Someone mentioned looking through the DHS for grants. Surely someone in the Dept is a grant writer of some sort or can be sent to a class to learn how to do it. If we can get a box trailer through a Coserv grant that just sits in our parking lot and collects dust surely the Sheriff's Dept can get a boat. It appears from some of the questions being asked that the idea of the S.O. having a Deputy or three out on the lake stopping boats and doing checks doesn't sit right with some folks. They dang sure do it on Lewisville, but that is def needed. Not sure how much of a drinking/boating problem there is on Fork but I betcha they will def be stopping folks and checking them. I just think a grant is the way to go but asking for money isn't a bad thing. As it is though, most folks only want the police around when they need em....

Toni Cole @ (903) 763-2201

Extra stops are a hassle but gets the word out about them being on the lake too

K thanks waiting on phone to charge a lil and ill be making mine.

Know what is funny we spend hundreds if not thousands on fishing tackle that sits and does nothing yet when someone actually steps up and wants to see and take ACTION...We bash the dude for even asking!!!! Sending my money today!!! Thank you for being proactive sir!!!!

Grants are "our" money anyway, it's not like "they" have a grant money tree. And grant writing isn't rocket science.

A lot more direct and faster to just collect donations.