Sheriff Hosts Vanderbilt Town Hall
By John Meng, Managing Editor After a recent drug-related shooting in Vanderbilt, public safety has become a growing concern for many residents in the small unincorporated community. So, Jackson County A.J. ‘Andy’ Louderback selected Vanderbilt to be the first of several town hall meetings around the county.
“I’m interested in feedback from Vanderbilt residents, and we need to stop some of things that are happening in the community,” said Sheriff Louderback. “But it will take all of us to pull this boat.”
Louderback explained that approximately 80 percent of the calls for service which are received by the Sheriffs Office occur south of U.S. Highway 59, and that he has two sergeants and three deputies to cover the entire county on any given shift.
According to Louderback, the Sheriffs Office accounts for about 37 percent of the county budget and his budget also includes operating and maintaining the jail.
While the county has limited resources, one proven solution to public safety is community involvement.
“How does crime proliferate and continue in a community?” asked Louderback. “Who helps us?”
Several of the residents responded, “We do.” “I’m not advocating anyone take action. I want you to be our eyes and ears,” said Louderback. “We never turn away information.”
Another big concern of the residents was the number of stray dogs wandering throughout the community. Numerous attendees recounted stories of dog bites and their fear of the dogs.
Since neither Vanderbilt nor Jackson County has a dedicated animal control officer, Louderback told the audience that he has made an agreement with the City of Ganado to take the dogs, if they can be transported there.
“If you can catch them, I’ll pick them up. That’s my promise to you,” said Louderback.
Vanderbilt residents also voiced their frustration with certain homes and properties in the community which are ‘run down’ or filled with junk.
As Vanderbilt does not have city ordinances, Louderback said the county will be usingthe Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 343, where applicable, to help Vanderbilt clean up.
The statute identifies a variety of property conditions as a ‘public nuance’ such as refuse on premises in a neighborhood, unsanitary conditions likely to attract mosquitoes and vermin, overgrown weeds within 300 feet of a residence or commercial establishment, and many other conditions which impact public welfare.
“There are great people in this room. There are great people in this community. But anywhere we go, we can encounter problems,” said Louderback.
“I’m here to help,” he added. “There’s a lot we can do if we work together.”