Is Crime Lower Now, Then it was One Hundred Years Ago?

Understanding the history of Lynchburg and it's Police may give us an insight to the importance and value our predecessors placed on law enforcement. I have spent much time reading older Council minutes to seek out the evolution of the Police Department, and to try to grasp how the community arrived at the point we are at.
Between 1830 and 1890 there became a need for protection. The events leading up to this are relatively unclear. However the community elders did see fit, and endorsed a Village Marshall and a Village Jailer. The Village of Lynchburg had its own law enforcement agents and a local jail. Most likely the Marshall, which means Police Chief today, was an elected rather than appointed position. The Jailer was a separate position and he employed help, separate from the Marshall.
In the early 1900's to 1920's records show the Marshall employing special Police and night Police. It seems Special Police were officers on day shift and Night Police or watchmen, were employed specifically to serve as law after dark. These officers were law officers under the Marshall. Through the years it seems the Village maintained around 4 law enforcement officers and up to six, including the Jailer at time throughout history.
Sometime in the mid 1930's, there is a gap in records, the Police Department was formed and the Marshall became a Chief of Police. This Chief was an appointed position under the Mayor and was confirmed by the Village Council. This is much the same as it is today. Things seemed to run about the same with a jailer, and an assistant who cleaned and maintained the jail, along with other Village offices. The Police Department stayed steady with the Chief and never less than two additional officers.
The Village had a Police Chief, which many remember, Harold "Windy" Shaffer, who had a long run as Police Chief, about 20yrs. His retirement commenced in 1985,and "Windy" started in the 60's under his predecessor Chief Chester Elam. Everything seemed very Mayberry like. The Village had one cruiser and one town maintenance truck, an excellent tax base which brought in a few thousand dollars.
Then came 1979, which is a year that has unclear minutes about several problems.This seems to be the beginning of the road that led us to where we are today. Two deputies under Chief H. Shaffer, quit or resigned that year. The Village Council were in the process of purchasing a new Police cruiser from Brose Chevrolet which was the local Chevy dealer in Lynchburg. It seems one of the officers brought false charges and or lied in testimony. At a special meeting in latof e 1979 that was called to "Discuss Police Problems" the Village legal counsel ,Mr Hapner, informed the Council that the Highland County Prosecutor informed him that charges would be filed against the Village and or Officers if they were put back on duty.
Later on that year the Council decided to keep Chief Shaffer on until his retirement in 1985, and contract with the Sheriff for Protection. This contract was for a Deputy Sheriff to be here from late evening to early the next morning, the times are explained in the minutes, seven days a week.
Since, 1985 there were many Police Chiefs that tried to rebuild a proper Department, however still leaned on the crutch of the Sheriff's Department for the majority of support. The perception of the Police Department from its former glory was no more. This was due to the fact that a scandal had destroyed it. The community has been in an unstable whirlwind since then. From 1990 to now there have been around 12 Police Chiefs. This in itself show instability and lack of leadership among the Department, Government, and Community. Much of this can be contributed to lack of funding in the last twenty years. The Police did not need much funding with only one Chief, and a Sheriff contract, which did cost something and was not free. Initially in 1979 it was over $15,000 dollars for Sheriff Dept. coverage.
With the challenges we all face, which include: lack of funding, rising crime, lack of protection, I believe we need a Police Department more than ever. A local Police Department that understands the Lynchburg Community. I think it is time to put the focus here at home. It is time to rebuild a local Police Department that understands and cares. With your help, myself, and Chief Wooton, can give us all the protection we deserve. Now, this will not be free, it will not be easy, however it is the responsible thing to do, in order to protect our families and property.

Headline Could Be “Lynchburg Police Officer Dies in Line of Duty”

Dear Editor,

I am writing this as a citizen of Highland County and the Mayor of the Village of Lynchburg. The Lynchburg Police Operations levy is coming up in the Special election that will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The passage of this levy is extremely important. Levies in support of law enforcement have failed in the past and, quite frankly, I’m worried. One need for this levy is, of course, budget problems, lack of funding for services is on everyone’s agenda these days. However, and more importantly, this levy is about more than just money, it is about safety, and not just the safety of the community of Lynchburg. Community is often times used as an indifferent word to categorize grandparents, parents, children, neighbors, property, schools, churches and even police officers. The words “community” and “safety” mean different things to each individual person. I would like to tell you about one frightening situation, a true story that could easily happen again.

A few years ago on a snowy road in southern Highland County, an Ohio State Patrol Officer made what was thought to be a routine traffic stop. The stop was initiated when a truck pulling an enclosed trailer went left of the center line several times within just a few minutes. Once the vehicle was stopped, an altercation began between the officer and men in the vehicle. The driver fled on foot, and two passengers stayed behind, threatening the officer. The passengers sprung from the vehicle and were ordered several times to return to the vehicle. They continued to threaten the officer, moving towards him again and again. Several times the confrontation became physical, two assailants against one officer. Again and again the OSP officer directed them to return to their vehicle. One of the assailants was informed that he was under arrest after the first physical altercation. The second man then attacked the officer and then he, too, was informed that he was under arrest. The officer ordered him to place his hands behind his back. At that point the two men converged on the officer, threatening him again. The assailants told the officer that they weren’t done and informed the officer that they would not be going to jail. The officer was finally able to break away and ran back to his car to locate his taser, which he hoped would assist him in defending himself against the assailants, incapacitating them without actually harming them. This exchange lasted nearly 15 minutes before any assistance could reach the officer. The poor road conditions slowed the Sheriff’s response time, that and the fact that there was no other law enforcement near by. Fifteen minutes is an eternity when you are fighting for your life. Statistically, an officer’s life is in danger if he cannot gain control of a violent situation and assistance does not arrive within a few minutes. Highland County Sheriff deputies did show up, and the Hillsboro Police K9 was able to assist with tracking the driver who fled on foot. All assailants were eventually taken into custody.

In this situation the Officer was not injured, however, what if backup had not shown up? What if they were farther away, delaying response times even longer? What if budget constraints had not allowed for backup at all? Law enforcement officers rely on each other to protect you and me, as well as to keep themselves safe. I never want to see a newspaper headline read “Lynchburg Police Officer Dies in Line of Duty”. Quite frankly, I never want to be put in the position as Mayor, to tell the family of a Lynchburg Police officer that he has been injured, or worse, killed while serving this community, especially if it could have been prevented. It is our responsibility to assure that back up is available and that all officers have been provided the tools they need to protect and keep safe all the grandparents, parents, children, neighbors, friends, and fellow officers who bravely put themselves between our citizens and danger. Police Departments have been the victims of cut backs across Highland County, so maintaining our current level of safety is in the best interest of, and affects, each and every member of the community of Lynchburg and all the citizens of, and Law Enforcement throughout, Highland County.

Jeremy Shaffer