Citizens Invited to Join Sheriff’s Association

TYLER – Responding to the increased number of citizens wanting to assist law enforcement officials and build a stronger partnership in the fight against crime, Sheriff Larry R. Smith Wednesday announced that Smith County citizens are being invited to become Associate Members of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. That’s according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Membership invitations will go out in the mail over the next several weeks. Associate Member funding allows the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas to provide critical training, technical resources, and legislative support on key criminal justice issues to law enforcement officers across the state, according to the release.

In addition, officials say, dues will be used to support crime prevention and awareness programs, promote public safety, fight drug abuse, provide additional training for sheriffs and their deputies, and provide scholarships for children of law enforcement officers. Contributions to the Sheriff’s Association of Texas are tax-deductible. “The Associate Membership Drive helps provide the funding which is vital to our mission of making our communities safer places to live, work and play,” said Sheriff Smith.

The Associate Membership Program was created to provide citizens with an opportunity to lend their support to more effective law enforcement and to better help local Sheriffs protect the lives and property of citizens, according to the news release. “During these economic times, the need for building stronger public-private law enforcement partnerships to continue to escalate, and programs such as this continue to grow in importance,” said Sheriff Smith. “I encourage every citizen receiving a membership appeal to consider joining forces with us by becoming an Associate Member. It is a valuable investment in our future.” Citizens not receiving a membership appeal or desiring more information can log onto http://www.txsheriffs.org to contact the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas.