SHERIFF SAYS SCOTT JAIL GENERATORS INADEQUATE

BENTON -- More power.

Sheriff Bill Ferrell says that is what the Scott County Jail needs in the wake of Monday's windstorm that knocked out electricity in the region.

Ferrell said two gas-powered generators for the jail weren't adequate to light the jail office and power the police radios and telephone system.

An officer stationed at the jail had to use a radio in a mobile unit to communicate.

The telephone system had a working battery backup that provided power for about six hours after the storm struck. The phone system, however, couldn't be connected to the generator when the battery went dead about 10 p.m. Monday.

With the assistance of the telephone company, emergency calls were rerouted and answered by the Miner Police Department until electricity was restored about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Ferrell met with Scott County commissioners Tuesday to discuss the need for a larger emergency generator.

"We are not asking for a huge generator to power the entire jail," said Ferrell. "We do need enough power to ensure the safety of the jail staff and inmates, to provide adequate lights and maintain a refrigerator for food and medicines for the inmates."

The recent power outage at the jail lasted about 16 hours. In the event of a major disaster, a power outage could last days and pose a major problem for the county jail, Ferrell said.