WCSO SRO Charles Mothershed teaches safety class for Walton Trail Cub Scouts

 Learning what it’s like to be a law enforcement officer and avoiding peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol was the topic of the day Thursday when Wilson County Sheriff’s Officer SRO Charles Mothershed spoke to the Walton Trail Cub Scout Day Camp Thursday.

An estimated 90 young people from first to fifth grade attended the camp held this week at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. “This is my favorite part of the job,” said SRO Deputy Mothershed, “talking to the kids and trying to help them understand what our job entails along with trying to teach them how to keep themselves and others safe.”

WCSO Corrections Deputy Jonathan Binion and his wife, Keisha, are also active in the day camp held each year at the park. Students earn badges and awards along with learning a variety of outdoor skills such as archery, swimming, hiking and safety while having fun. Each day, the students have a guest speaker.

With the aid of coloring books and photos, SRO Mothershed teaches the youngest students about the importance of finding an adult and not touching a weapon if they find something that could hurt them or someone else in the woods or anywhere else. They are taught about “stranger danger,” and what to do if a stranger tries to lure them away from safety. And, of course, they get the opportunity to ask questions about his job and see the patrol vehicle and all its features. The older ones are given advice regarding peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol and have a chance to try on DUI goggles to see how difficult it is to navigate while under the influence of alcohol.

“It’s really rewarding,” Deputy Mothershed said, adding that if there’s one take-away he wants students to get from his class, it’s that law enforcement are here to help them, keep them safe and learn how to keep themselves safe.

WCSO Sgt. Don Witherspoon (left) and SCAN Director (right) Debbie Pare help bring awareness to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with Teresa Botts at the Lebanon Senior Center.

Elder abuse happens every day all around us and many people are unaware of what it is, where it is occurring, how to report it and how to get help. Although today is officially World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Sheriff Robert Bryan through the WCSO SCAN (Senior Citizens Awareness Network) Program is trying to raise awareness to this devastating and often life-threatening crime throughout the month of June.

“There are so many different kinds of abuse that go undetected because many people do not know it is happening, how to report it or who to contact for help,” Sheriff Bryan said. “Our SCAN program and other members of our department have been dropping off information and making appearances throughout the month to help educate people in Wilson County to this heart-wrenching crime.”

Debbie Parè and Sgt. Don Witherspoon who are in charge of the WCSO SCAN program, and all-volunteer organization designed to help seniors with a variety of problems, say they have seen and heard of many unspeakable abuses of senior citizens.

“We have the resources here at the Sheriff’s Office to investigate and evaluate reports and/or suspicions of possible elder abuse,” Parè said. “Unfortunately, many people are unaware of what constitutes elder abuse in its many forms. Sometimes violence or neglect of an elderly victim is the result of an overworked and tired caregiver. We can be a resource.”

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is officially recognized June 15, but Wilson County Sheriff’s Office is bringing the much underreported crime to the forefront through a variety of events during the month. For instance, Parè, Sgt. Witherspoon and WCSO Detective Walker Woods recently appeared on the Coleman Walker Show (WANT/WCOR) to describe the crime and what people can do to help recognize it and find resources to help. WCSO officers and SCAN volunteers continue to distribute flyers and holding educational meetings with organizations most likely to come in contact with seniors to discuss elder abuse.

Tennessee is a state that mandates reporting of any elder abuse without having to prove it. “We are now seeing more reports of abuse,” Sgt. Witherspoon noted as the crime gets more attention. “It includes physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Are you aware you can be both the instigator and victim of elder abuse simply by neglecting yourself? This occurs when someone is depressed, suffers dementia or other problems and lives in unsafe conditions such as a house that should be condemned.”

Parè noted that people often do not report abuse for fear of reprisal. “But you can report it with 100 percent confidentiality. Reporting is your only responsibility. Proving it is the responsibility of the agencies.”

Law enforcement, however, must often rely on people noticing there’s a problem with an elderly person. People who most often come into contact with an elderly person are those at the doctor’s office, grocery store, church or a neighbor.

For more information about Elder Abuse, contact the National Center on Elder Abuse at www.ncea.aoa.gov or call Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. If you know someone is in a life-threatening situation or immediate danger, call 911. The YWCA has a 24-hour Crisis and Information Line in Middle Tennessee at 615-242-1199 or 1-800-334-3628. To get more information about the SCAN program, go to the WCSO website at https://wcso95.org/website/home/senior-citizens-awareness-network/ or call the SCAN Office at 615-444-1412, ext. 499.

Suspect Arrested in Ongoing, Multi-Agency Child Pornography Investigation

A 38-year-old Wilson County man has been arrested and is being held at the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center following an ongoing, multi-agency investigation into child pornography.

Cecil Clint Woodard was arrested Saturday as a result of information regarding a suspect being involved in possession of child pornography. The intelligence was obtained during a continuing investigation by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and Metro Nashville Police Department’s Child Exploitation Task Force.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at 431 Green Harbor Court in Old Hickory, where the suspect was located. Woodard is now jailed under $300,000 bond for three counts of Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation involving a minor less than five years of age.

“This is a prime example of the importance of good communication among surrounding agencies working cooperatively together,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “The swift action of all agents and detectives involved not only secured vital evidence, but likely prevented other future victims from being exploited. These cases are among law enforcement’s most important because it is essential we do everything within our power to ensure to protect our children’s innocence and welfare.”

Woodard’s court date is currently scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 17 in Wilson County General Sessions Court.

WCSO, SCAN Program Raising Elder Abuse Awareness throughout June

Elder abuse happens every day all around us and many people are unaware of what it is, where it is occurring, how to report it and how to get help. For these reasons and more, Sheriff Robert Bryan through the WCSO SCAN (Senior Citizens Awareness Network) Program is trying to raise awareness to this devastating and often life-threatening crime throughout the month of June.

“There are so many different kinds of abuse that go undetected because many people do not know it is happening, how to report it or who to contact for help,” Sheriff Bryan said. “Our SCAN program and other members of our department will be dropping off information and making appearances throughout the month to help educate people in Wilson County to this heart-wrenching crime.”

Debbie Parè and Sgt. Don Witherspoon who are in charge of the WCSO SCAN program, and all-volunteer organization designed to help seniors with a variety of problems, say they have seen and heard of many unspeakable abuses of senior citizens.

“We have the resources here at the Sheriff’s Office to investigate and evaluate reports and/or suspicions of possible elder abuse,” Parè said. “Unfortunately, many people are unaware of what constitutes elder abuse in its many forms. Sometimes violence or neglect of an elderly victim is the result of an overworked and tired caregiver. We can be a resource.”

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15, but Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will be bringing the much underreported crime to the forefront through a variety of events during the month. For instance, Parè, Sgt. Witherspoon and WCSO Detective Walker Woods will appear on the Coleman Walker Show (WANT/WCOR) at 7 a.m. June 10. WCSO officers and SCAN volunteers will be distributing flyers and holding educational meetings with organizations most likely to come in contact with seniors to discuss elder abuse.

Tennessee is a state that mandates reporting of any elder abuse without having to prove it. “We are now seeing more reports of abuse,” Sgt. Witherspoon noted as the crime gets more attention. “It includes physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Are you aware you can be both the instigator and victim of elder abuse simply by neglecting yourself? This occurs when someone is depressed, suffers dementia or other problems and lives in unsafe conditions such as a house that should be condemned.”

Parè noted that people often do not report abuse for fear of reprisal. “But you can report it with 100 percent confidentiality. Reporting is your only responsibility. Proving it is the responsibility of the agencies.”

Law enforcement, however, must often rely on people noticing there’s a problem with an elderly person. People who most often come into contact with an elderly person are those at the doctor’s office, grocery store, church or a neighbor.

For more information about Elder Abuse, contact the National Center on Elder Abuse at www.ncea.aoa.gov or call Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. If you know someone is in a life-threatening situation or immediate danger, call 911. The YWCA has a 24-hour Crisis and Information Line in Middle Tennessee at 615-242-1199 or 1-800-334-3628. To get more information about the SCAN program, go to the WCSO website at https://wcso95.org/website/home/senior-citizens-awareness-network/ or call the SCAN Office at 615-444-1412, ext. 499.

WCSO to Recognize National Missing Children’s Event Today at Mt. Juliet Chick-fil-A

Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will join with the Mt. Juliet Chick-fil-A in observance of National Missing Children’s Awareness Month today from 5-8 p.m. WCSO SROs will be doing complimentary fingerprinting for children at the event and give out goodie bags to children who participate.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children annually hold events during this time of the year to raise awareness of the threat of child abduction and inform the public of ways the keep children safe in addition to supporting victims’ families. The National Missing Children’s Day is an annual observance throughout the country on or near May 25.

Sheriff Robert Bryan encourages families to be aware and make their children aware of the potential child abduction dangers. “It takes all of us to be alert and be aware of potential child abduction risks by paying attention to Amber Alerts and other news of missing children,” Sheriff Bryan said.

Other emergency agencies will be on hand with numerous displays and activities in addition to free finger-printing by WCSO SROs. If anyone is interested in having their child’s safety seat checked for correct installation, the Mt. Juliet Fire Department will be on hand to assist.

Four Wilson County Sheriff’s Office SROs attended a special graduation at Austin Peay State University for Alethia Scott, daughter of fallen Police Officer David Scott (Clarksville PD). In addition to WCSO SRO Officers Lt. Scott Moore, Kevin Hopkins, Joe Bowen and Robert Enough were 35 officers from Lebanon Police Department, Lavergne Police, Clarksville Police, Dickson County Sheriff Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The law enforcement officers were honoring her requested attendance since her officer father was killed in the line of duty in a pursuit in 2002. Ms. Scott asked that her Law Enforcement “family” be with her at her special moment. Wilson County Sheriff’s Officers along with many others were honored to attend the event in memory of her late father.

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WCSO to Join Lebanon Chick-fil-A for National Missing Children’s Awareness Day 5-7 p.m.

Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will join with Chick-fil-A in observance of National Missing Children’s Awareness Day from 5-7 p.m. at the Lebanon location. WCSO SROs will be doing complimentary fingerprinting for children at the event and give out goodie bags to children who participate.

The National Missing Children’s Day is an annual observance throughout the country on or near May 25. On that date in 1979, six-year-old New Yorker Ethan Patz disappeared on his way to school. He was declared legally dead in 1981. President Ronald Reagan declared the observance on that date in 1983 following a shocking series of child abductions and missing children that occurred over a period of time and continue today.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children annually hold events during this time to raise awareness of the threat of child abduction and inform the public of ways the keep children safe in addition to supporting victims’ families.

“We encourage families to take time to sit down with their children and explain the dangers of potential abduction and discuss safety precautions children can take,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “It takes all of us to be alert and be aware of potential child abduction risks by paying attention to Amber Alerts and other news of missing children. We hope everyone will take a few minutes in observance of this National Day.”

WCSO and other law enforcement and fire and emergency agencies will also participate in another Missing Children’s Awareness Observance to be hosted in Mt. Juliet by the Chick-fil-A next Tuesday, May 31, from 5-8 p.m. There are many displays and activities in addition to free finger-printing planned for that day.

WCSO to Conduct Saturation Patrols on Lookout for Impaired Drivers through Holiday

The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will conduct saturation patrols throughout the county this weekend. This is one of many additional patrols planned over the next several months. Deputies will concentrate enforcement efforts on impaired drivers to reduce traffic crashes. These overtime patrols are funded through a grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

The Memorial Day Holiday officially begins Friday and runs through Monday at midnight. Sheriff’s patrols will be on the lookout for drivers that violate any traffic laws including impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding or not wearing a seat belt.

“As always, we remind you to think before you drink and get behind the wheel,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “Don’t let a bad decision lead to a lifetime of regret and/or tragedy. Please drive safely.”

Wilson County Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Part II Set May 25 in Mt. Juliet

 Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan is encouraging anyone who can to sign up to donate blood in the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, an event that benefits Wilson County in a friendly competition between Wilson County Law Enforcement and Wilson County Fire/Emergency Management.

“We’re down to the wire now, and we want to win it this time,” said Sheriff Robert Bryan of the 2016 competition for bragging rights between Wilson County’s Law Enforcement and Fire/Emergency Agencies. “This year is going to be Wilson County Law Enforcement’s year to win.”

Anyone who wants to participate in the Mt. Juliet location should sign up as soon as possible for an appointment through the Red Cross by visiting the website at redcross.org and enter the sponsor code: WilsonBattle. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Wednesday, May 25, at the Mt. Juliet Community Center Meeting Room. To save more time, complete an online pre-donation and health history questionnaire at your convenience on the day of your appointment. You can save up to 15 minutes and skip the waiting time. To learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Wilson County Fire/Emergency won the first round of the Battle of the Badges collecting two more pints in honor of Fire/Emergency than Law Enforcement during the first event which took place May 18, at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center.

American Red Cross officials say the need for donations becomes even greater just before the busy summer vacation season begins when many regular donors may delay or skip donations because of other summer activities.

“As summer approaches, the American Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to give blood and help ensure a sufficient supply,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Brett Crystal. “Every day, the Red Cross must collect 14,000 blood donations to help meet the needs of patients across the country. Your donation may help accident victims, organ transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.”

WCSO Sheriff/SRO Conflict-Resolution Camp Interest Spikes, Still Taking Applications

Interest is growing daily in Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan’s SRO-run, week-long, half-day camp in July to help students learn to cope with bullying and problems such as spotting potential online predators to peaceful conflict-resolution. Applications are still being taken, and WCSO is considering a second camp.

“The goal of the camp is to help our young people manage possible problems they are faced with everyday, both in and out of school,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “Our young people today face many more problems in a much more technologically savvy world than many of us faced in school. Our SRO Unit wants to provide students with the tools they need to learn how to maturely manage problems and build self-confidence while avoiding becoming victims.”

Instruction areas will include such topics as: bullying; online predators; drug/alcohol awareness; confidence building, team-building exercises; a tour of the jail and examination of the juvenile court system.

“We’ve already received more applications than the 25 students we had planned to have in the camp,” SRO Lt. Scott Moore said. “This is a good ‘problem’ to have so much interest. If applications keep coming in the way they have, we will probably hold a second camp. We want to accommodate as many students as possible who are interested.”

Currently, the event is scheduled for 8-11 a.m. July 25-29 for qualifying students. Eligibility requirements include any male or female with a good disciplinary school record and good attendance record. Any student who will be in grades 6^th through the 8^th for the 2016-2017 school year will be considered.

“Right now, we have about half female and half male applicants,” Lt. Moore said. “We hope everyone will get the word out about this to form a second camp. We had already planned to possibly form an additional camp if enough students were interested. We were thinking we could do a second session during from 1-4 p.m. the same days.”

The cost is free to any qualifying students. For more information or to obtain an application, please contact the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office SRO Division at 615-444-1412, ext. 487.

Note: The WCSO SRO school camp is not associated with Wilson County Schools.