INSIDE Goochland Chamber honors outstanding local volunteers > page 8
Volume 60, Number 47 • December 10, 2015
Sheriff now favors use of body cameras Agnew tells supervisors research shows cameras play role in keeping officers safe By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Pointing to recent research supporting the effectiveness of police body cameras in helping to protect officers, Goochland County Sheriff Jim Agnew cautiously made his case last week for equipping his officers with the devices. Speaking during the Dec. 1 Goochland County Board of Supervisors meeting, Agnew admitted he once had doubts about using the cameras, citing both cost — the price tag for data storage for 36 cameras would come in at around $45,144 — and potential privacy issues as his main concerns. However, Agnew said he’s since come to realize that the technology does have several Agnew benefits when it comes to ensuring the safety of both officers and the people with whom they interact. Since embarking on a pilot program to test the use of the cameras in early May, Agnew said the department has had the chance to see first-hand just how effective a tool they can be. In addition to offering the opportunity to review officers’ actions for training purposes, Agnew pointed out that having video recording of a particular interaction between an officer and a resident has meant a difference in the way complaints are resolved. “What we’ve seen is that people drop complaints very quickly” when they realize that they were videotaped, Agnew said, noting that in the see Body cameras > 2
When a superhero meets Santa
Photo by Roslyn Ryan
It was tough to decide who had on the more impressive suit Friday evening as Conner Stagg, 6, shared a moment with Santa Claus during Goochland’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. The event, an annual county favorite, featured plenty of activities for families to enjoy, including caroling, hot chocolate and crafts. For more photos, see page 4.
CarMax grant helps keep students connected Funding helps students in need gain access to Internet for schoolwork Contributed report
Thanks to a generous grant from The CarMax Foundation and the support of the Goochland Education Foundation, the Goochland County Public Schools
Technology Department began dispersing broadband Internet access devices to the division’s neediest students this fall. Initially, these devices are being offered to students in grades 4 through 7 who take part in the School’s 1:1 computing program. “The CarMax Foundation has made it possible for us to bring new levels of deeper learning into many of our students’ homes,” said superintendent James Lane.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this important service to our students.” The school division was awarded a $25,000 grant from The CarMax Foundation to address bringing Internet connectivity to students who need it the most but face the financial burden it can cost families. Like many rural communities, there are a large number of Goochland see Grant > 8