Law enforcement administrative services may be centered at county jail

January 26, 2011

The Howard County Jail could soon be the center of law enforcement efforts in Big Spring, as city and county officials prepare to meet to mull over the idea of housing the Sheriff's Office and Police Department in the same facility.

City Manager Gary Fuqua informed the Big Spring City Council Tuesday night recent talks between the city and county administrations could help the municipality solve a longstanding problem.

“As you know, we've set aside $1.7 million for renovations to the (Troy Hogue Law Enforcement Center),” Fuqua told the council. “In the meantime, the county is looking at moving the Sheriff's Office from its current location in the county courthouse to the new jail.

“We recently had a joint meeting between the city and the county, with Sheriff Stan Parker and Police Chief Lonnie Smith presenting a plan that would house both law enforcement agencies at the newly built jail. By doing that, we could save as much as $300,000 a year in services that are currently being duplicated.”

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