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President’s Blog (January 2024)

Presidents’ Blog
January 23, 2024

It is now 2024 and I am once again serving as President for the Alumni Association this year. I thank you for the vote of confidence to lead this amazing group onward this year, and since my last blog was July 31, 2023, I will try to fill in the blanks for the remainder of 2023.

Jack Diamond, Marketing and Fundraising Chairman, presented the Million Dollar Loteria Raffle at the July meeting which would serve as our fall fundraiser. The three winners whose names were drawn on October 2nd, had the opportunity to win up to one million dollars, plus a $50 VISA gift card. Each of the winners won more than $150 by scratching off the twenty-five $25 Loteria raffle tickets they were given, but unfortunately none of them were able to claim a one million dollar prize. We sold 721 raffle tickets, which generated us a net profit of $10,941. Many thanks to those of you who purchased raffle tickets, sold tickets to friends and relatives, and a special thanks to those of you who were ticket sellers at the various selling locations over the hot summer months. In 2023, our total fundraising efforts generated a net profit of $20,206. As Jack always says, “It takes ALL OF US”, so thanks again to all of you!

In July, our Secretary, Delta Kirchner, and her husband sold their home in San Marcos and relocated to Johnson City. Despite still being fully employed, Delta took on the Secretary position for 2023 and did a wonderful job. However, now living in Blanco County, and still working, it had become difficult for her to attend our monthly meetings. She asked if it were possible to find a replacement to complete her unexpired term as Secretary and MaryAnn Parker graciously accepted the nomination. A huge thanks to MaryAnn for her awesome job taking the minutes and sending out the SignUp Genius volunteer requests for the last few months of 2023.

The current membership voted to table a possible HCSO history showcase for the front lobby of the PSB at this time. We did purchase a couple of large artificial plants to sit on either side of the current lobby trophy case to spruce up the focal point when you enter the building. We are now looking into purchasing a climate controlled CONEX cargo container in place of the two storage units that the Alumni and HCSO Community Outreach are currently renting monthly. These two storage units hold the three large grills we use for our cheeseburger plate fundraisers each year, all the supplies for our cooking and food serving, plus supplies for Brown Santa and The Sunshine Kids. The first step before we can move ahead with a possible purchase is to secure a location where this CONEX could be connected to power. This is an ongoing project that we have set as a funding priority in 2024.

The Sheriff’s Office held two Citizens Academies in 2023 (spring and fall) and the Alumni sponsored graduation parties at the PSB for both classes upon the completion of each academy. A majority of the students from each academy became members of the Alumni and we were thrilled to add them to our ever growing list of members and look forward to getting to know these new members as this year progresses.

The Holiday Lock-Up on December 1st at the Government Center to benefit the Brown Santa Program was a roaring success this year, bringing in the largest amount of funds ever collected due to the big number of “lock-ups” and the bonds that were set. The Alumni funds the cost of the luncheon for this event every year, and also acts as the servers. Italian Garden made the wonderful pasta dishes and rolls, Texas Roadhouse provided the delicious garden salad, and Palmer’s green beans were such a hit, we ran out! Thanks to all of you who were involved in the days’ fun activities.

Once HCSO Community Outreach secured the warehouse for Brown Santa to operate out of this year, many of the alumni assisted in cleaning, organizing, and sorting toys to prepare for the big gift wrapping day on Saturday, December 9th. The amount of people who show up to give of their time and talents each year to wrap all these gifts is truly amazing. The warehouse literally turns into Santa’s Workshop for a few hours, and the excitement among all the “elves” is palpable. Many volunteers were called into service the following Saturday, December 16th to assist in the distribution of all the wrapped gifts and bags of food. Twenty-six teams were created to deliver to 525 families this year, with over 1,700 children, making this year the largest number of families ever served. A rousing applause to every person who donated their time, talent, and/or funds to assist with this program.

After 36 years of service with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Dennis Gutierrez retired on December 29th. The Community Outreach Secretary, Irene Hernandez also retired that day after 17 years of service with HCSO. A lovely retirement reception was held at the PSB on December 28th to celebrate these two retirees. At that time, Lt. Gutierrez was presented with a soft-sided gun case, gift card to Cabela’s, and also a gift card for the restaurant TasTe on Main, thanks to generous donations from Alumni members. We wish Lt. Gutierrez and Miss Irene a very well deserved retirement!

In place of our December meeting, we held our annual Holiday Social at Ivar’s River Pub on Tuesday, December 12th. There were 33 in attendance – both Alumni members and guests, who got to know some of our newest members, enjoyed some good food and drink, and participate in a gift exchange. All in all, I believe a fun evening was had by all.

Lastly, I would like to remind everyone of some important facts during this upcoming political season. Many of you will want to start supporting your local politician by attending events, working polls, and numerous other ways to express to others who you believe is the best candidate. Please remember, the HCCSAAA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and as such, we are restricted against supporting any political candidate. I know none of you wants to be responsible for our organization losing its nonprofit status with the IRS, so please be aware of these policies and rules:

  • You are welcome to support and attend any support function of any candidate of your choice, however you need to do that as an individual. Please do not introduce yourself in a way that is construed as your membership in HCCSAAA is endorsing a political candidate.
  • Please do not wear any HCCSAAA apparel while attending any political function, working polls, political fundraisers, or anything else specifically supporting a candidate. Do not mix political support items with your Alumni apparel – we cannot wear a political hat, patch, shirt, jacket, lanyard, or anything similar while wearing HCCSAAA apparel items such as our shirt or Alumni ID badge.

I would like to express my thanks again for all your support, dedication, and time during 2023 to promote and enhance the Hays County Citizens Sheriff’s Academy Alumni Association. I look forward to another very productive, educational, and exciting year in 2024 as we all work together to continue to strengthen our commitment specifically to HCSO and it’s projects, but also to all law enforcement within Hays County. If you haven’t been an Alumni member before, or if you have let your membership lapse (many did during COVID), consider joining forces with a hard working, dedicated, fun volunteer group and contact either myself or our Treasurer, Gary Anderson (granderson42@mail.com or 512-393-7792 PSB office #) to pay your annual $20
membership dues.

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President's Blog

President’s Blog (July 2023)

President’s Blog (July 2023)

My apologies in advance for the length of this blog, but we have had a very active first half of the year, which of course is a very good thing. I will try to cover all of it as succinctly as possible, so I hope you stay with me!

We started a new program this year, offering a $1,500 first year post secondary school scholarship for one high school senior whose parent or guardian is employed by the HCSO. We received five applications for this scholarship and our Scholarship Committee members awarded this scholarship to Peyton Hipolito, Deputy Anthony Hipolito’s daughter. They were extremely surprised to discover this, as all names, addresses, and possible identifying information was redacted from each of the scholarship applicants paperwork, so no favoritism could be alleged. We presented Peyton with a 2’ x 4’ BIG check at our May 9th meeting and mailed the actual scholarship check to Texas Tech for her fall enrollment.

This year we have also added a Social Committee to our Association, composed of Jane O’Rourke, Goldie Kruger, Janice Snitkin, Mary Capps, and Mary Earls. They have done the planning and arranging of the snacks being served at our monthly meetings, supplied decorations and food or our Academy Graduation Party, will help with our annual Holiday Social, and other social events we may have or host each year. If you are willing and able to supply the meeting snacks one month, be sure to let one of these ladies know as they are always looking for snack donations.

At our February meeting, Jack Diamond, Marketing and Fundraising Chairman, announced that our fundraising goal for 2023 was $25,000 – $28,000. Our first two events of the year got us off to a fabulous start on this goal. The Cheeseburger Plate Fundraiser was held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Wimberley on April 21st, where we sold 400 plates. Our second Cheeseburger Plate Fundraiser was held at the Government Center in San Marcos on May 15th, where we once again sold out of cheeseburgers (500 this year) and our total net profit for both events was approximately $9,500. Best year yet selling and delivering our famous Cheeseburgers!

A few Alumni volunteered to help serve lunch at the taco/nacho bar for the 10th Capital of Texas Police Motorcycle Chute Out in Buda on March 2nd. It was a great sunny day, filled with lots of LEOs showing off their motorcycling talents, but unless another organization steps up to continue this event, this will be the last year it is held.

In March, some of our volunteers boxed lunches of hot dogs, chips, water, and cupcakes for 90 students, plus teachers and chaperones, from Rodriguez Elementary School. Our Community Outreach Officers and other HCSO personnel gave this group a guided tour through the PSB in the morning, while our volunteers put together the lunch boxes.

The Sheriff’s Golf Tournament was held on May 5th at Kissing Tree. A number of Alumni volunteers helped on the course, serving lunch, and assisted with the raffle prizes and silent auction. The golfers preferred this course over the past few years when this tournament was held at Quick Sand in Wimberley, so we shall see where it will be in 2024.

From June 5th till the 11th, The Sunshine Kids were here for their annual Texas Hill Country Adventure. This year there were 26 Kids and 8 medical personnel in attendance and as usual it was an awesome week for all involved. Tuesday was spent at Sea World, followed by dinner at Clear Springs Restaurant. Wednesday, I got to experience the awesome car ride with police escort up I-35 to tour the Texas State Capitol with lunch at the Capitol Grill where the Kids could order anything they wanted and the Alumni paid the bill. I’m 5’10” and the paper receipt was as long as I am tall! Then the group changed into their swimsuits to tube the river, followed by a BBQ and pool party at Rio Vista Park, complete with DJ. Definitely a favorite and fun filled day for these special teens. Thursday the group was at Schlitterbahn Water Park and that evening was the Alumni’s night to shine with the Bingo and Ice Cream Party. Ten games of Bingo were played and each game had both a male and female winner, with prizes ranging from power banks and small boom speakers, to Apple Watches and iPads.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Alumni, we were able to fund all these gifts. Friday morning was a horseback riding experience, followed by lunch back at the hotel from Jersey Mikes funded by the Alumni, before the Kids headed to EVO’s to bowl and play arcades, and then to a ranch and pool party at T Bar M. Saturday, they met with a local motorcycle group for a ride through our Hill Country, had lunch at San Marcos BBQ, and that evening was the TexMex Dinner and Totally 80’s Final Night Party at the hotel, where everyone dressed “totally 80’s” and danced the night away to old tunes spun by the DJ while balloons fell from the ceiling. It was a phenomenal week for me,our Alumni volunteers, and Community Outreach personnel, to get to know these special Kids and their zest for life, despite all that they have been through and may continue to battle.

Our June meeting was two days after The Sunshine Kids left and instead of holding the typical monthly meeting, we opted for a social night at Hays City Store to celebrate the successes we have had over the past few months. It was a nice turnout, especially for some of our newer members to get to mix and mingle over good food and drink.

July 9th – 12th, Gary Anderson, Jack Diamond, and myself attended the Texas Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (TCPAAA) Convention in College Station. It was a fun few days meeting other police and sheriff’s alumni members, listening to some awesome presentations, and high profile sessions. The convention is June 23rd – 26th next year at South Shore Harbor Resort, League City. I am hopeful that Hays County Alumni will have a bigger representation at this convention in 2024.

I appreciate all the support I have received since becoming your President in January. As a team, we have accomplished so much, and there is still much to be done as we move into the latter half of this year. Our membership continues to grow, thanks to the Citizens Academy filling all the available seats in the classroom and then those graduates joining the Alumni. If you have family, friends, or neighbors that are interested in attending the next class which begins on September 7th, tell them to go to https://hayscountytx.com/law-enforcement/sheriff/ for more information and to download the application.

Ruth Diamond, President
Hays County Citizens Sheriff’s Academy Alumni Association

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Adopt-a-Dispatcher

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (2023)
Adopt-a-Dispatcher (2023)
From Kimberli Andrews (SOLE):
National Telecommunications Week is April 9th – 15th. Have you ever wondered what exactly a 911 Dispatcher does, endures during a shift, hears and handles? Let me be the first to say they are some of the true heroes of law enforcement! We would like to adopt each of our 911 Dispatchers and show them some love on the week dedicated special for them!

Here is how you can be a part:

💙 You can adopt 1 dispatcher or as many as you would like. Once you commit we will assign a dispatcher or dispatchers to you.

💙 Fill an 8×10 gift bag with the items on the graphic, at the minimum. You can do more but it has to fit in an 8×10 gift bag. NO HOMEMADE FOOD ALLOWED!

💙 Our dispatchers LOVE handmade cards, especially from your kiddos!

💙 Once you have your gift bag ready, drop it off to one of the noted drop off locations listed below. Drop off locations are in Buda, Wimberley, San Marcos, Dripping Springs and Kyle.

💙 If you run a club, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc., and would like your entire club to help, we have a special task we would like to assign your club to help with. Message Megan Jones for more details.

💙 April 10th is the deadline to drop off your gift bag to one of our designated locations.

💙 Our team will deliver the gift bags to each dispatch on April 11th or 12th.

💙 Comment below or send Megan Jones an email (megan.jones@co.hays.tx.us) with your email, name and contact number if you are interested in adopting a dispatcher and we will then assign a dispatcher as well as provide you with more details.

💙 Gift Bag Drop off locations (business hours apply)
**San Marcos – Hays County PSB — 810 S Stagecoach Trail
**Kyle – Kyle Police Department — 111 N Front St.
**Dripping Springs – Pct 4 Constable — 195 Roger Hanks Pkwy #3
**Wimberley – Pct 3 Constable — 200 Stillwater Rd., Ste. 106
**Buda – Buda Police Department — 405 Loop St., Ste. 200

💙 We hope you will join us in showering our 911 Dispatchers with the love they deserve! Their jobs are hard but fulfilling!!! What would we do without them?

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Volunteer Opportunity: TSA Canine Training

From Jack Diamond, HCCSAAA Marketing Committee Chair:
I have been contacted by Mr. William Ashby, Program Assistant, Transportation Security – Canine Office of Security Operations at Austin-Bergstorm International Airport who is seeking volunteers to participate in their Decoy Program. Last year twelve HCCSAAA members visited the TSA Canine Training Facility at Lackland AFB. Being able to see how the canines and their handlers are trained was amazing. Upon graduation, each canine and handler are assigned to a specific airport to detect various types of explosives.

Both the canine and handler continue their training at each airport and the TSA uses volunteers to act as decoys. Anyone may volunteer for this program as long as they are 18 years or older. If you are interested in volunteering for the Decoy Program I have attached additional information about the program. If you are interested you may contact Mr. Ashby directly.

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Applications Open For Next Citizens Sheriff’s Academy

Sheriff Gary Cutler is pleased to announce that the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy is now accepting applications for the 2023 basic class. The course will tentatively start on February 16, 2023. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy is a 45 hour program designed to give the citizens of Hays County a working knowledge of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and the criminal justice system. This free program includes 12 weeks of instruction by Hays County Sheriff’s Office staff and other guest speakers. Classes are held on Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the new Public Safety Building located at 810 S. Stagecoach Trail. in San Marcos, directly behind the Government Center.
 
The objective of the Citizens Academy is to build a better understanding between citizens and the Sheriff’s Office through education. The academy will help increase public awareness and increase Sheriff’s Office and community relations and rapport. Consequently, the Sheriff’s Office becomes aware of the feelings and concerns of the community from the participants through interaction. The instructors of this academy are supervisors, deputies, correction officers, and guest speakers who work in the areas being taught, and their training will give participants insight into the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office. In return, class instructors receive direct feedback from the class participants on the effects the Sheriff’s Office has on their lives.
 
Students will have the opportunity to tour the Hays County Jail, the Juvenile Detention Center, the Government Center, and the Public Safety Building including the state-of-the-art communications center if current COVID guidelines allow. Students will also have an opportunity to ride along with a deputy as an observer during a regular patrol shift.
The class size is limited to 24 people per class, so it is important to get your application in early. Applications may be obtained in person at the Public Safety Building or by emailing Deputy Mark Andrews at mark.andrews@co.hays.tx.us. Additionally, within the next few days you will be able to download the application from our website, www.hayscountytx.com. Applications must be received on or before February 10, 2023.
 
Those persons with felony convictions, or who are currently on parole, probation, or anyone who has been convicted for any offense involving moral turpitude are not eligible to attend. Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and either reside, or work, in Hays County. For questions regarding the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy, please contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit or Deputy Mark Andrews at 512-393-7373 or via email at mark.andrews@co.hays.tx.us Applications for the Citizens Academy may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to:
 
Hays County Sheriff’s Office
Community Outreach Unit
Attention: Mark Andrews
810 S. Stagecoach Trail
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone: 512-393-7373
Fax: 512 393-7879
mark.andrews@co.hays.tx.us

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Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunity: Work HCSO Inventory

Margaret Vieger, HCSO Inventory Specialist, is always looking for assistance in her office at the jail. Opportunities exist to help Margaret Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00a and 2:00p. You just go in the main entrance of the jail and she is the door immediately on your left. Thank you!

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Lackland AFB: TSA Canine Training Session

On October 25th, eight Alumni members traveled to the TSA Canine Training Center at Lackland AFB to observe how the dogs and their handlers are trained. The TSA National Explosives Detection Canine program trains and deploys both TSA-led and state and local law enforcement-led canine teams in support of day-to-day activities that protect the transportation domain. These highly trained explosives detection canine teams are a reliable resource at detecting explosives and provide a visible deterrent to terrorism directed towards transportation systems.

TSA trains canine teams to operate in the aviation, multimodal, maritime, mass transit, and cargo environments. Considered the “center for excellence” for explosives detection canine training, the program is the largest explosive detection canine program in the Department of Homeland Security and the second largest in the federal government after the Department of Defense.


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Field Trip: Observe Canine Training @ Lackland AFB

Jack Diamond has been working on coordinating a visit to the Canine Training Center @ Lackland AFB in San Antonio (FIELD TRIP!). In order to help coordinate the visit, there are some questions that need to be answered, one of which being: how many members would be interested in visiting the AWESOME Canine Training Center in San Antonio?

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Special Items Up For A Vote @ August Meeting

Good evening Alumni!

There are a couple of items that we will place on the Agenda to vote on at the upcoming Dinner/Social meeting on TUESDAY, AUGUST 16th @ 6:30 p.m.; I will be sending out the agenda next week; but, I wanted everyone to have a chance to review what we will be voting on and ask any questions you may have. The Executive Board has unanimously approved each of these items to be brought to the members for a vote:

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HCSO Advanced Citizens Sheriff’s Academy

As discussed at the July 20th meeting, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office will host an Advanced Citizens Sheriff’s Academy. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30p to 9:30p for seven weeks from August 17th through September 28th. Class size is limited to 16 with priority given to first time attendees. Applicants must have already completed the Basic Citizens Sheriff’s Academy. Applications are now being accepted with a submission deadline of August 10th.

Link to Application (.PDF)

NOTE: The first class will be held at the Firing Range. For that reason, the following information is required in addition to the completed application:
 
Firearm Criteria:

    Do you own a handgun?

  • Semi-auto 9mm, .40 or .45 preferred.
  • Academy will provide 50 rounds
  • Holster
  • Spare Magazine
  • Magazine Holder
    Firearm Experience

  • Little or No experience with handgun?
  • LTC?
  • Prior Military or LE?