Sheriff Jeff Wood was happy to report that there were no major incidents over the Easter weekend which is always a sigh of relief for the department. It’s always a concern with numerous ATV/UTVs are out on trails during a holiday weekend.
Although weather in the lower area has been nice and warm community members are reminded that safety precautions are still needed. “Just be careful even though the weather is nice down here it’s still cold and there’s snow in the high country and if you do get stuck have your cell phone, make sure you have adequate clothing, food, make sure someone knows where you are,” said Wood. The Carbon County Search and Rescue has been busy the last few weeks with individuals misjudging the snow drifts that are still in the back country.
The department has been notified that a phone scam has hit our area, mostly targeting the elderly. Wood explained, “Is what I want to remind people, if there is any time that you have to post bail on a warrant you’ll do that at the Sheriff’s office itself, you won’t mail that in, that’s something you’ll come down to the Sheriff’s office to do and anything that is suspicious give us a call or come down and we’ll be happy to talk to you about it.” It may be hard to distinguish if it’s a scam because the phone number that is being used registers as a local number. To make matters worse, the caller is very persistent, uses the Sheriff’s name and refers to the physical address of the department. If any citizens receive such calls do not follow any of the instructions to send any sort of money, contact the authorities immediately.
On a positive note, community members will notice over the next few days numerous law enforcement vehicles passing through the area heading south, most likely on Friday. Don’t panic, they are headed to Moab for the annual Fallen Officer Memorial Ride. Wood gave more details, “So this weekend in Moab is the Fallen Officer Memorial Ride, they do it every year this time of the year. There’s a trail there, you’ve probably seen it on your way in, you can see they have a marker off the side of the road The Fallen Officer Trail.” The one day event is to honor fallen law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in our state.
During the ride which will be held on Saturday, April 9 a monument is set up at each mile marker recognizing the officer. “You know we actually had one two years ago honored down there it was Sheriff Bliss. Sheriff Bliss was killed seventy years ago here in Carbon County, he was shot in the line of duty,” said Wood. Fellow officers and their families participate in the event every year.
Wood finished by thanking the Carbon School District and 4-H Teen Council for sponsoring the Marc Mero event held last week at Carbon High School, he appreciates that they held an evening presentation for the entire community to enjoy.