No Trash Talking: Sheriff Defends Office’s Focus
By Paul Stone, Palestine Herald-Press, Texas
Jul. 1–PALESTINE — Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor on Monday responded to comments made last week by Anderson County Judge Linda Bostick Ray concerning his agency’s efforts to combat illegal littering and trash dumping.
During a June 23 meeting of the Anderson County commissioners’ court, Ray criticized the efforts of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement personnel, saying she holds Taylor “accountable” for the problem.
Ray’s comments came during discussion of an item relating to the county’s trash problem.
“…It’s even more depressing that this court has to remind the sheriff and constables” to uphold the law, Ray said in open court.
Taylor was not in attendance during last week’s meeting, but called the judge’s remarks “very misguided” during open forum of Monday’s special meeting.
In a brief statement, the sheriff told Ray that he, other law enforcement officers and some citizens “were offended by your statements.
“Myself, my deputies and all law enforcement in this county put our lives on the line daily to protect the welfare of the citizens of this county,” Taylor said during open forum. “I am very proud of the job that my staff does on a daily basis. Judge Ray, nor this court, have the authority nor the responsibility to tell or remind us in law enforcement how to do our jobs.”
Taylor acknowledged that trash on county roadways is a problem in Anderson County.
“I feel it would be much more beneficial to our county if, instead of making misguided, inflammatory statements from the bench, the court would work with my office and all law enforcement to solve this and other issues facing our county,” the sheriff also stated in open forum.
Following the meeting, Taylor told the Herald-Press he elected to speak in open forum “to set the record straight for all law enforcement in Anderson County.
“Unfortunately, if somebody throws a beer box out and no one witnesses it, I can’t pin that on anybody,” Taylor said. “I wish I could. I find it despicable.”
While trash dumping poses a significant problem in Anderson County, Taylor pointed out that his agency has a maximum of three deputies patrolling the entire county at any given time.
The sheriff said his agency often has to prioritize its efforts and violent crime against persons takes precedence over fast food sacks and aluminum cans.
“A trash dumping call doesn’t take priority over an armed robbery,” Taylor said. “…We have to prioritize for the welfare of the citizens.”
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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