More room sought for Stoddard County deputies

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner asked the county commission to allow him to move the offices of two officers to the old Alternative School location in the basement of the Justice Center to make room for processing concealed-carry gun permits. The commission took no action after asking Hefner to provide specific information about the cost of the move.

On Aug. 29, sheriff's offices will begin processing applications for concealed-carry permits. The old permits were issued at license bureau offices across the state. The scanning of documents and their distribution became a major legislative issue when a lawsuit was filed in Stoddard County over records that were scanned during the concealed and carry permit process. The Legislature subsequently moved the processing of concealed-carry permits to local sheriffs' offices.

Local sheriffs have been in the permit process, doing background checks. Individuals seeking a concealed and carry permit went to the sheriff's office to fill out paperwork and get fingerprinted.

Hefner said the county processes about 50 permits each month, which includes renewals. He said one employee in his office would be in charge of issuing the permits, while the state is to provide the same equipment as was used by license offices to produce the permit.

For several months the number of permits issued was higher. Hefner said that for about three months at the beginning of the year there were about 150 permits sought per month. The number was fueled by proposed federal gun control laws that have since failed to gain Congressional approval.

"We are not going to be able to process 40 to 50 permits a month in the dispatch area," Hefner said. "The equipment won't fit."

Hefner said the office area for deputies already is crowded, and does not provide sufficient room when the Stoddard County Major Case Squad is activated. He proposed moving the offices of detective Hank Trout and drug investigator Keith Haynes to the old Alternative School location, and using the conference room there to house the Major Case Squad when it is activated.

Juvenile Officer Mike Davis said there would be a conflict if training was scheduled on days when the Major Case Squad was activated. He said he believed any conflict could be worked out between the two agencies.

"I think having two officers within close proximity of the Juvenile Detention Center would be an asset in terms of security," Davis said. "I'm not at all against it."

Davis said phone and computer connections are installed in the basement, but more hardware may be needed.

Hefner said he has spoken with Judge Joe Satterfield, who supports the move, but has not talked with Juvenile Detention Center superintendent Judi Hampton.

Hefner was asked to check into how much money would be needed for communication equipment, office fixtures and other expenses related to the expansion.

Pertinent address:

207 S. Prairie St., Bloomfield Mo.

403 S. Prairie St., Bloomfield, Mo.