BACK TO SCHOOL MOTORIST REMINDERS

With schools starting up again Sheriff Bailey wants to remind everyone about slowing down in school zones and stopping for school buses. Motorists need to be aware when entering a 20 MPH school zone and of kids standing around designated bus stops. He wants to remind everyone the rules when you have to stop for schools buses as they pick up and drop off kids.

Drivers on the road may be confused when they see a school bus turn on its red lights and the stop arm being activated. When do drivers need to stop and when are they allowed to continue driving? The law depends on the number of traffic lanes of the road you are on.

On a two-lane roadway and a two-lane roadway with a turn lane in the middle, drivers traveling in both directions must stop for school buses. By law, drivers must remain stopped until the bus is in motion again or the bus driver signals that traffic can proceed.

On a road with four or more lanes, drivers on the opposite side of a stopped school bus do not need to stop. Only vehicles on the same side of the roadway are required to stop. On roads with four or more lanes, Ohio law requires that school buses pick up students on the same side of the road that the student lives on.

A driver receiving a citation for failure to stop for a stopped school bus in Marion County has a mandatory court appearance and can face fines and court fees totaling $238.

Always be aware of school zones during school hours. Watch out for kids at school bus stops and remember the rules for a stopped school bus. Deputies will be on the lookout for school zone and school bus violations. Everyone at the sheriff's office hopes everyone has a safe school year!

WEBCHECK & CONCEAL CARRY HOURS ARE CHANGING

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is changing the days and hours that the public can come to the office to process Ohio conceal carry applications and conduct civilian WebCheck fingerprint background checks. 

Starting Monday August 5^th, 2019 the public can come to the sheriff’s office to turn in conceal carry applications and get civilian WebCheck background checks done Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm.  The office will no longer be open on Saturday mornings.

The change in hours is an effort to make both of these processes more accessible and allow more opportunities for the public to get their business done. These hours also match the regular hours the sheriff’s office business office is open.

 If you have a question pertaining to Ohio conceal carry applications or WebCheck fingerprint background checks, please call (740)382-8244 then select option 2.

COME JOIN US FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT!

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office would like to invite everyone to join us and other county/city safety service agencies to National Night Out 2019. The event will take place at Grant Middle School (420 Presidential Dr.) on August 6th, 2019 from 6PM to 9PM. There will be many fun activities to do including: a mascot dance off, inflatables, a live band, and free hot dogs (other food will be there for purchase). At the end of the night there will be a fireworks display! Admission, inflatables and the live band are all FREE! Come join us for a fun time and show your support for our safety services and our great community!

K9 VIKING RECEIVES BODY ARMOR

Marion County Sheriff’s Office K9 Viking has received a bullet and stab protective vest. 

Marion County Sheriff’s Office has received a vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Vikings vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s with the embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection is provided by Vested Interest in K9’s”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,400 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $5.7 million dollars.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.