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B OONE COUNTY RECORDER

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THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS

Police ‘on edge’ despite community support Chris Mayhew cmayhew@communitypress.com

Police in Northern Kentucky are on edge despite local community support after Sunday’s news of a second incident of police officers shot and killed. Baked goods, cards and emails of support have been showing up at police headquarters in Campbell County from community members for two weeks. Sunday’s shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, killed three officers 10 days after five police officers in Dallas were killed by a sniper’s ambush. Shows of support are appreciated, but officers are frustrated, said Alexandria Police Department Chief Mike Ward. “It’s been tough,” Ward said. “Everybody’s on edge. Everybody is kind of down.” On Monday, Chief Spike Jones of the Kenton County Police Department said, “Our whole community is suffering” and the Dallas and Baton Rouge police deaths are “weighing heavy on the hearts of all police.” “Our officers obviously are more vigilant about random attacks,” Jones said. “There was a time when you could fuel your car up or stop for lunch and not have to look over your shoulder about who’s coming through the door.” Erlanger Police Chief Tony Wilson agreed, saying, “Everybody is a little more cautious, but it’s business as usual. We are exploring options on how to be more safe but nothing is concrete yet. We want to do what’s best for the community and our officers.” Fort Thomas Police Department had already scheduled a routine training for all officers about how to respond to shots fired at their vehicle. “It’s training to keep each other alive,” Lt. Rich Whitford said. Police in Fort Thomas train regularly to overcome situations police may encounter, Whitford said. “If it’s just an ambush there’s just not much you can do,” he said. “You just need to be vigilant.” Officer-generated activity is down in Alexandria, Ward said.

THANKS TO COL. SPIKE JONES

Kenton County Police thank Shannon Taylor of Taylor Made Cakes for dropping off some treats for their Kenton County Police officers on July 14.

“That’s not a bad thing,” Ward said. “It just shows they are being cautious.” Police in Campbell County are not pairing up on patrols yet as officers are doing in cities including Portland, Oregon, and Pittsburgh. Ward urged caution in an open letter to police officers on the department’s Facebook page. “I don’t know what the solution is,” Erlanger’s chief said. “I wish I did. This is a very rough time in our country. I just hope this never happens in Northern

Kentucky or the Cincinnati area. But, it can happen anywhere. We have to be as safe as we can be and we have to always be there for our residents.” Boone County Sheriff Michael A. Helmig penned an open letter to the citizens of Boone County after the shootings in Dallas. Helmig said residents realized the department was hurting and showed care and kindness through meeting officers on patrol, calling and emailing the department and stopping by with snacks.

“It is those acts of kindness and support that helps us cope with the mourning of fallen comrades and the uncertainties of what lies ahead. It is reassuring to know the people of Boone County have our best interest at heart. Words escape me but you have to know how much that support means to us,” Helmig said. “We will do our best to keep you safe and to earn your respect. And, we will stand strong knowing you stand behind us.” Erlanger has had “tons of support the last several weeks from church groups just stopping by to say, ‘thank you,’ to people dropping off baked goods or cards. It’s really great to see that. The support from the community means everything to us. The people who express hatred and discontent for the police are really few and far between,” Wilson said. Community support does not go unnoticed by officers, Ward said. “I had a man stop by the department on his way to work just to shake a police officer’s hand,” Ward said. Campbell County Police Department Chief Craig Sorrell said the community has been “phenomenal” in reaching out by sending emails and cards and dropping off treats. “It’s been much appreciated,” Sorrell said. “There’s far too much fattening food being dropped off at the department.” Fort Thomas police feel a community coming together to offer support, Whitford said. “We’ve had so many people open up with support,” he said. “We’re getting letters and getting cards. That’s the way our community is and I think all Northern Kentucky is.” “People have just been wonderful,” said Jones of Kenton County Police. “We’re really blessed in Kenton County that we have such a supportive community and I would hope that other departments across the United States, especially the ones that are directly affected (by police attacks) are receiving that support as well,” Jones said. “The folks that have stopped out have been so gracious and have such supportive things to say – it reminds all of us why we do our jobs,” Jones said.

Boone County panel approves Rabbit Hash ferry Sarah Brookbank sbrookbank@communitypress.com

BURLINGTON – After a month of waiting, residents of Lower River Road in Rabbit Hash now know the fate of a proposed ferry. On July 13, Boone County Board of Appeals voted to approve a ferry in Rabbit Hash. The board heard no new testimony. Members had waited to vote after the June 8 public hearing on the ferry, so they could look at the information

presented. Brad Shipe made the motion to approve the ferry with six conditions. Shipe said the plan was in line with the county’s comprehensive plan. The conditions state that staff parking and repairs must be done on the Indiana side of the Ohio River, the ramp must be locked after hours and lighting should have motion sensors that will work after hours. The ferry will be operated by Full House Resorts Inc., the parent company of Rising Star Ca-

CHOREOGRAPHED, ON HORSES Next week: Read about Young Guns 4-H Equestrian Drill Team’s latest achievement. Rita’s Kitchen Rita’s tabouleh recipe is a simple country pleasure. 10A

sino in Indiana. The ferry will be located off Lower River Road near the intersection of Ky. 18. The Rabbit Hash General Store, which was devastated by fire in February, is about two miles away. Don Clare, president of the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, was in favor of the ferry. Clare said the ferry would help bring back a piece of history, linking Rising Sun and Rabbit Hash. “I am very pleased by the decision, I think it was well thought out. I know it was con-

troversial,” Clare said. “I live in that area too. Below river there’s a major power plant and above river is the huge sewer discharge plant. I can’t believe bringing something as benign as a ferryboat to our legitimately historic neighborhood was such a big deal.” While the ferry will provide a convenient mode of transportation for residents and casino-goers, Clare said it will also help tourism that is vital to Rabbit Hash. Dan Lee, CEO of Full House

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Resorts, said he is excited to move forward with the ferry and that the casino wants to be good neighbors. Lee said the company will continue to work with residents to address concerns if they arise. Representatives from the casino said the ferry should open in a year. The next step for the casino is to apply for permits through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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