Pocahontas County Sheriffs Auxiliary Advisory Board Holds Inaugural Meeting

Marlinton, WV – Image is everything, and the Pocahontas County Sheriffs Auxiliary Advisory Board thinks that to be successful, the Auxiliary has to portray a positive image to the community. Board member Margaret Worth says that many people look at the Sheriff’s Department with a negative attitude and that perception has to change if the department and the Auxiliary are to succeed.

Board Member Ruth Bland says that there is often a lack of hope in the community. She feels that the Auxiliary needs a lot of young members who can relate to the youth of the county and serve as role models. She says that Auxiliary members need to be able to interact with the youth and with people in general.

Joel Srodes, Development Coordinator for the Auxiliary, says that the goal for the Auxiliary is to be a stand alone entity that advises the Sheriff. To date, the Auxiliary’s primary function has been transferring detainees to and from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail. But that is about to change.

The Auxiliary will be providing security to the Pocahontas County HS Junior-Senior Prom this year. They are working with “Go Marlinton” to revamp the Neighborhood Watch Program. They will be providing much of the security for the various fairs and events throughout the county.

And they have a new project called TCOP or “Taking Care of People.” This program will build a data base of names and contact information of people such as the elderly, handicapped, or other special needs people. The intent is to be able to rapidly contact these people in the event of an emergency and make sure they’re all right.

They have other ideas but what they don’t have is sufficient manpower. The Auxiliary currently has 19 members but they hope to increase that number to around 30. To increase participation the Board recommends that Srodes should approach the civic organizations of the county. They feel that the type of people in the Lions Clubs, Rotaries and the like, are the same type of community minded people that the Auxiliary needs.

To be a member of the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Auxiliary you must be 18 years old and pass the same background check as the deputies. For more information about the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Department Auxiliary contact Joel Srodes at 304-799-2211.