St. Clair County Sheriff's Department

Criminals lend a hand to law enforcement

Belleville News Democrat. Posted on Sun, May. 18, 2008

You'd think people would have enough sense to leave illegal drugs at home when they go to the courthouse. But no.

Last week, St. Clair County bailiff Josh Pea arrested a man for carrying illegal drugs -- the third such arrest in less than a week. "I just like my weed," the man reportedly said as he was carted off to the St. Clair County Jail.

Well, we like it when stupid criminals make law enforcement's job so easy. These sort of arrests happen all the time at the courthouse checkpoints.

Maybe it's time for Sheriff Mearl Justus to invite criminals in for free athletic shoes as he did some years ago. Based on what goes on at the courthouse, they'd no doubt fall for it again.

Lake Carlyle Operation 'Memorial Day'

Lake Carlyle Operation 'Memorial Day'

On Saturday, May 24^th, 2008 thought Monday, May 26th, 2008, with the support of the United States Army Corp of Engineers at Carlyle Lake in Clinton County, Illinois, combined with four Western Rivers 085 Division 3 (St. Louis Metropolitan Area) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas - Flotilla 03-01 (Scott Air Force Base, Illinois), Flotilla 03-10 (St. Charles, Missouri), Flotilla 03-08 (St. Louis, Missouri), Flotilla 03-05 (Illinois & Missouri covering cluster) and 03-15 (Portage Des Souix, Missouri) members and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department are conducting a combined initiative to assist vessels on Carlyle Lake and to promote a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

The Army Corp of Engineers, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department will establish a command post/radio communication station and conduct the following operations:

1. Vessel Examination at Vessel Safety Check stations

2. Provide the Public with written/flyer information outlining educational topics regarding safe operations of vessels, up to date Federal, State and Local “boating” laws and recommitted emergency equipment and environmental awareness.

3. Patrol Lake Carlyle using Surface Patrol Boats and Personal Watercraft

“The initiative is the first combined effort, of many major United States Coast Guard Auxiliary missions in support of the Army Corp of Engineers at Carlyle Lake. Carlyle Lake on average experiences 2 fatalities a year with many more individuals receiving injuries related to over consumption of alcohol and unsafe vessel operation. We want everyone to enjoy recreational boating and the Labor Day weekend. Please be safe and we are here to assist you!”

- - George D. Mokriakow, FSO-PA

Public Affairs Officer

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

All United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Units and personnel operate under the control of United States Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. 

The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard ask if anyone observes a suspicious item, person or conduct while on America’s coast, rivers, lakes or ports to call “America’s Waterway Watch” at 1-800-424-8802.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was established by the United States Congress in 1939, and is the Civilian Membership of the Coast Guard with a mission to:

Promote safety and to effect rescues on and over the high seas and on navigable waters

To promote efficiency in the operations of vessels

To foster a wider knowledge of and better compliance with laws, rules and regulations relating to water going vessels

To facilitate operations of the Coast Guard

A press/news conference will be held on Saturday, May 24^th at 10:00 a.m. at the Carlyle Lake Visitor’s Center located across from the main beach. A representative from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Army Corp of Engineers and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department will be present.

The Sheriff's Mother's Day message

This week we celebrate National Police week and honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty. But this Sunday is the day we celebrate another kind of hero. Sunday is Mother’s Day.

To understand Mother's Day and what it really means, you need to understand the person in your life called 'Mother'. Mother is one who nurtures you in her womb for nine months and brings you forth to enjoy the supreme blessing on earth, that is, Life. Mother is one who guides you through your infancy and turns the soft, helpless creature to the powerful and successful YOU. She is the guardian angel protecting you and supporting you, feeling for you and serving you silently always with a smile on her face. She prides herself watching you grow and provides you a shoulder to cry on whenever you need. She is every child's best friend.

For a child, every single day should be a Mothers Day. The essence of the meaning of Mother's Day is in the fact that we should try and make this day every year a memorable one for your mother. She should cherish the special feeling of this day and the intensity of that feeling should last her a lifetime.