Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons (left) and Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray (right) spoke to the citizens of western Lee County about the importance of community involvement at Monday’s public meeting.
The community has recently been stricken by an increasing number of burglaries, and citizens have joined together to alleviate the problem.
Virginia resident and business owner Patty Fee Yates has been diligent in her efforts to bring the community together in order to stop criminal activity.
Yates was the first to speak at Monday’s meeting, which was held in the Elydale Elementary gymnasium.
“In this community, we have a big problem. We have been invaded by thieves,” said Yates. “These thieves want to come into our homes and business places, and take the things we have worked so hard for. And we will not stand for it. We want the word to go out to anyone... that if you’re a thief, then we don’t want you here.”
Yates said the focus of the night was for citizens to understand the purpose of the neighborhood watch.
“I think it’s a good idea for neighbors watching out for neighbors, because our law enforcement is so scarce,” said Yates. “We are not pointing fingers or blaming anybody, but it is a borne fact that we need our law enforcement.”
Yates then stated that the county is in dire need of assistance, and it is up to the public to let his/her voices be heard.
“So this meeting tonight is to spread the word to the law enforcement, to the people, to our Congress, to our senators, and to whoever we can get to listen,” Yates maintained. “Quit cutting our budgets and quit taking away from us, because we are just as important on this end as they are in Richmond.”
“We are tired of being cut... it’s like we’re going backwards in time,” Yates added.
Yates then distributed flyers to those in attendance with the telephone numbers of important public officials. The flyers included the following names and numbers: Terry Kilgore at (276) 386-7701; Rick Boucher at (276) 628-1145 or (276) 523-5450; Gov. Bob McDonald at (804) 786-2211; Senator Mark Warner at (276) 628-8158; and Jim Webb at (276) 679-4925.
“And I would like for everyone of you, before you leave here tonight, to pledge to call these people and complain to them,” Yates expressed. “Because we don’t have the money to keep our homes and our businesses secure with police protection. Now, something is wrong with that. It should not be this way. We need police protection down here, and we are not going to stop until we get it.”
Yates then urged the crowd to be aggressive in their pursuit for answers. She said that if everyone in attendance calls or writes their government officials, it will get attention.
“As a community, we are going to have to come together to protect what we have because it is only going to get worse,” stated Yates.
“Now is the time,” Yates added.
Yates then stated that people of the community are going to have to return “to the old ways of looking at things.” She said that neighbors need to take care of one another, and look out for each other, because that is how the community has thrived from the beginnings.
Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons then addressed the crowd. He said that several arrests were made in the past week — in connection with some of the recent burglaries — and the individuals were currently incarcerated.
“I am not saying that we have the culprits. I do believe, however, that we have some of the individuals involved in these robberies,” Parsons contended. “There still may be a problem, so don’t let your guard down.”
One citizen then asked Parsons, “Have you ever considered establishing some type of volunteer police program?”
“I’m working on that. We have been interviewing folks. We ran that in the paper, and I am probably within 45 days of starting an auxiliary program,” claimed Parsons.
Parsons then introduced Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray to the crowd. Ray spoke to community members about his relationship with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD).
“Gary Parsons and I go back a long way,” said Ray. “We talk to one another, and our investigators talk to one another, weekly.”
Ray then expressed that he and Parsons “work together as good as any two law enforcement officials” within the community, and he proclaimed the relationship will continue to grow.
Sheriff Ray went on to say that he would assist and support Lee County in anyway possible.
“I hope that you all stick together up here, and form a good community program to protect one another,” said Ray. “I support you 100 percent.”
LCSD Lieutenant James Hartsock attended Monday’s meeting to further explain the operations of a neighborhood watch program.
“This program will only work if you choose for it to work,” said Hartsock. “This program is not my program, and it’s not the sheriff’s program. If you decide to set up a neighborhood watch, it is going to be your neighborhood watch. It’s going to be ran by you, and it is going to be organized by you.”
Hartsock then said that the LCSD will continually work with community members to make the county more secure. He said that 80 percent of all crime in the United States is solved by the public.
“We need help, and the only place we can look for that is in your eyes,” said Hartsock. “We have a huge county and it is hard to cover with limited man-power.”
Hartsock explained to the crowd the importance of networking and brainstorming in community watch programs, and said that communication is key to its success.
“We have to get back to the basics,” stated Hartsock. “We need to get back to those old ways of thinking, and knowing your neighbors.”
“It’s in your hands now,” concluded Hartsock.
The public then nominated the committee for the neighborhood watch program in western Lee County. Patty Fee Yates was nominated to the position of Chairperson; Wade Wilson was nominated to the position of Vice-Chairman; and L. Wanda Pillion was nominated to the position of Secretary/Treasurer.
Individuals who want to get involved in the community watch program are encouraged to attend an organizational meeting on Tuesday, February 16, at 7 p.m. at Elydale Elementary.
For additional information on the neighborhood watch program or to report criminal activity, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Dept. at (276) 346-7777, or at (276) 346-7756. All calls are confidential.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.
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