ACSO Holiday Hours
Open House for Sheriff Risner's Retirement
We are hosting a retirement open house for Sheriff Risner on Friday, Jan 3, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sheriff's Office Annex.
S.A.L.T Council Meeting
Sheriff, E. Wayne Risner was presented with The Community Partnership Award
On Oct 23rd, 2024, Ashland County Sheriff, E. Wayne Risner was presented with The Community Partnership Award at the 2024 Mental Health & Recovery Board Annual Luncheon.
The Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding organizations or individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in the community by working together with all sectors (public, Private and governmental) to ensure individuals and families with mental health and / or substance use concerns receive the vital care they need to live productive lives. Effective partnerships are a cornerstone of strong communities.
David Ross, Executive Director of Ashland MHRB, presented the award.
Savannah
SCAM ALERT !!!!
SCAM ALERT !!!! ASHLAND COUNTY
A male caller has been calling residents claiming he is a federal agent and advising victims that there is a federal warrant out for their arrest. He has also stated that their cars have been seized and drugs were found.
The scammer then asks for personal information and credit card numbers. In one case the scammer advised that they would have someone from the Ashland Police Department call them. Later, a call came from the scammer using an Ashland, Ohio phone number. It was, indeed, still the scammer.
Remember: DO NOT give your personal information over the phone to someone that calls you. Citizens are encouraged to call your local law enforcement agency using their published business number (not the number that the scammer tells you or shows on caller ID) to report these scam calls.
You may also report scams here: Report a Scam - Ohio Attorney General
Please share this ALERT on your social media page to help warn friends and neighbors.
AG Yost Addresses Importance of Elder Abuse Awareness and Protection Efforts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 26, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Hundley: 614-906-9113
AG Yost Addresses Importance of
Elder Abuse Awareness and Protection Efforts
(CINCINNATI, Ohio) — Kicking off the annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today shared a powerful message of gratitude with the “heroes” in attendance who work tirelessly to protect older Ohioans.
“You answer the call to weed through fact and fiction to save the vulnerable,” Yost told the 160 advocates and professionals gathered at the Sharonville Convention Center. “You are heroes to these people, and to me.”
The daylong conference – with a theme this year of “Dollars and Sense: Financial Exploitation of Older Adults” – is presented by the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Commission in partnership with the Ohio Coalition of Adult Protective Services.
“Our elders are treasures,” Yost said. “They provide us with history, fill in our blanks, and impart wisdom from lives long-lived. But these folks too often become victims, losing their sense of security, their dignity, and often even their homes. Thankfully, that’s where you all come in.”
Yost shared a poignant story about a 73-year-old military veteran who reached out earlier this year to his office’s Elder Justice Unit. The man was ill, his wife was in a nursing home, and he was being exploited by a relative. The Elder Justice Unit, the advocacy group ProSeniors and local law enforcement intervened, and the veteran’s relative is now facing two felony charges of theft.
Studies have shown that older adults are targeted because they are more vulnerable, especially to technology scams, and they are less likely to report these crimes.
FBI statistics show that, in 2023, people 60 and older lost a combined $3.4 billion to scams, with an average per-victim loss of nearly $34,000.
“What is alarming is that only one in 44 cases of financial crimes against older adults gets reported,” Yost added.
The Attorney General reinforced the need for awareness and timely reporting in this fight against financial exploitation.
“Awareness is key to solving the problem,” Yost said. “There should be no shame in being ripped off, it happens. But failure to report gives the bad guys a better chance of getting away with it.”
Earlier this year, with support from the General Assembly, Yost created a Cyber Crimes Unit within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to address the growing problems of cyber and financial crimes. The team, which is made up of specialists in cyber/crypto and financial crime, has already logged some notable successes, including helping to recover $17,619 for a 73-year-old woman who fell victim to a Bitcoin scam.
Yost ended with, “The takeaway message is simple. Report the crime – there are people who can help.”
For assistance, training, or more information about elder justice issues, or to support a victim of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
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Ohio Traffic Safety Office Announces New Elementary School Seat Belt Program
For Immediate Release: June 12, 2024
Ohio Traffic Safety Office Announces New Elementary School Seat Belt Program
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is partnering with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), The Ohio State University, and The Ohio School Resource Officers Association (OSROA) to implement a new program to educate students and families about the importance of wearing a seat belt and using a booster seat. “Buckle Up with Brutus” blends the latest in car seat safety science into a fun, interactive program.
“Buckle Up with Brutus” is intended to reach second and third grade students. The curriculum designed by OTSO, SADD, and The Ohio State University includes talking points, activities, worksheets, and a video of Brutus’ Seat Belt Boogie that school resource officers can present in schools. Students will also learn strategies for being a good passenger in vehicles.
This program, which is aligned with the second and third grade curriculum standards, was first announced at the 2024 Ohio Traffic Safety Summit in Columbus and will be launched statewide for the 2024-2025 school year. It is also one of the recommendations from the Safety Belt Task Force, which released a full report on seat belt use in Ohio in May 2024.
OTSO is now working to identify schools and law enforcement agencies that are interested in presenting “Buckle Up with Brutus” once the new school year begins. Resources are available online now at https://otso.ohio.gov/programs/buckle-up-with-brutus/
Ohio EMA Announces The Ohio Traveler Alert System
Announcing The Ohio Traveler Alert System (OTAS)
To Enhance Traveler Safety Through Digital Messaging
(COLUMBUS, OH) – The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), National Weather Service Wilmington (NWS Wilmington) Forecast Office, and Lamar Advertising announced the launch of the Ohio Traveler Alert System (OTAS). During incidents of severe weather, the OTAS will display real-time alert information on digital billboards to help ensure that motorists are aware of the potential for threatening weather.
The initial phase of this program will include 50 billboards the metropolitan areas of Dayton and Columbus. The billboards will display important weather information as needed regarding severe weather such as high winds, snow squalls, heavy ice, and flooding. This system is intended to supplement – not replace - other real-time alert resources such as television and radio broadcasts and real-time weather apps.
“The Ohio Traveler Alert System is a great way to keep Ohioans and visitors safe and aware on the roads,” said Sima Merick, Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director. “This potentially lifesaving project will provide critical weather updates to Ohio travelers.”
Communication and messaging in the form of billboard alerts is key to travelers who may not be familiar with their surrounding area and the weather hazards that they may encounter, as well as all drivers who are not aware of impending severe weather. This may also help to provide needed information to those living within the area of the billboards.
After evaluating the success of the billboards in Dayton and Columbus, the program is expected to expand to other parts of the state.
To learn more about OTAS, visit: EMA.Ohio.Gov
Ohio Traffic Safety Office Announces Free Advanced Driver Training Summer Series for Teen Drivers
For Immediate Release: May 14, 2024
Ohio Traffic Safety Office Announces Free Advanced Driver Training Summer Series for Teen Drivers
COLUMBUS — Free hands-on training is available this summer for teen drivers in Ohio to practice crash avoidance techniques and gain the experience necessary to become safer drivers. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is partnering with three Advanced Driver Training programs to increase access to these specially designed classes that address the leading causes of teen crashes. Newly licensed drivers or teens with a valid temporary permit are welcome to participate in one of these free sessions.
This announcement comes during National Youth Traffic Safety Month, which coincides with the beginning of the “100 deadliest days” – the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that historically accounts for more than a third of all fatal crashes.
In 2023, there were 102 fatal youth-related crashes in Ohio during the “100 deadliest days” – about one fatality each day.
Young drivers in Ohio under the age of 24 are involved in 31% of all crashes, but only make up about 13% of licensed drivers.
Advanced Driver Training programs allow students to practice skid recovery, anti-lock braking system (ABS) exercises and other skills with a licensed instructor on a closed course. OTSO recently produced a video and launched a new web page dedicated to Advanced Driver Training to better inform parents about these programs.
LINK: Learn More About Advanced Driver Training in Ohio
Ohio-based Advanced Driver Training providers DriveTeam and Professional Driving Systems will conduct six of the summer sessions. OTSO is partnering with the Ford Philanthropy’s award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life for the other two sessions.
The Advanced Driver Training summer series begins in June at Nelsonville York High School in Athens County with Professional Driving Systems hosting two sessions per day. Seven more events will be held across the state through the end of September:
DATE LOCATION
June 8-9 Nelsonville York High School
Athens County
June 19-20 Canfield Fairgrounds
Mahoning County
July 6-7 Professional Driving Systems
Montgomery County
July 17-18 Zanesville High School
Muskingum County
August 3-4 IX Center - Cleveland
Cuyahoga County
August 7-8 Lima Senior High School
Allen County
September 21-22 Owens Community College
Wood County
September 28-29 Manheim Cincinnati
Butler County
Parents can register their teens for a session at one of these events by following the link on the calendar on OTSO’s Advanced Driver Training resource web page.
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As a division within the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is dedicated to saving lives and preventing injuries on Ohio’s roads by using creative leadership, innovative education and comprehensive enforcement programs. OTSO strives to work in partnership with local, state and federal entities to advance equity in highway safety programs, ensuring they benefit all road users in Ohio. For FFY2024, OTSO awarded over $23 million in federal funds to 135 Ohio agencies for statewide programming to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities.
For additional information, contact:
Judy Converse
Public Information Officer, Ohio Traffic Safety Office
(614) 644-6052 - office
(614) 981-1751 - mobile
jlconverse@dps.ohio.gov
News Release for April 1st Pursuit and Apprehension
Ashland County First Responders Team Up For Active Shooter Training
Public Notice - Controlled Training Event on March 15, 2024
On Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Grace Church, 1144 West Main Street, Ashland, an Ashland County multi-agency large-scale training event will take place. There will be signage in the area of the training informing residents of the “training event”. Please avoid the area as some roads may be temporarily closed surrounding the church. Please do not call 911 or police agencies to ask what is occurring. THIS IS A CONTROLLED EVENT.
Scammers are Targeting Ashland Residents
SCAM ALERT
It has been brought to our attention that someone is calling Ashland area residents impersonating various members of the Ashland County Sheriff's Office. One of the call back numbers given was 419-558-6546. This is not an ACSO number. The message it gives is not from anyone at the ACSO.
Scammers can find all sorts of information on us and put enough of it together to sound legit. Do not trust caller ID, it can be spoofed. Scammers have been known to use the name of current or former deputies and officers as well. These calls can be frightening, the scammer wants to keep you off balance you so you'll fall for their demands.
Remember:
Deputies / Officers will not threaten to arrest unless you immediately pay a fine.
Deputies / Officers will not ask for prepaid money cards or gift cards as a form of payment.
Deputies / Officers will not clear up a warrant over the phone in exchange for payment.
Protect yourself by refusing to give the scammer any information. DON'T give them any money or bank account info. Hang up on the scammer.
For more information on phone scams click the following link.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams#whattodo
Does Medicare Call You at Home: How to Spot Medicare Phone Scams
Once you become eligible for Medicare, typically in the months before you turn 65, you may experience an uptick in calls from people who say they’re from Medicare-based organizations. These could be scam calls, and the people on the other end of the line are not official Medicare or Social Security representatives.
When enrolling in Medicare, you should know that neither Social Security nor Medicare will ever call you to get information. Should any Medicare or Social Security need to contact you, they will always send you a letter to notify you.
What is a Medicare Scam?
Medicare scams are typically people calling or emailing you asking for sensitive information while claiming to be Medicare representatives. Most of the time they are pretending to be from Medicare or from a legitimate Medicare insurance company or brokerage.
Medicare frauds want you to give them private information so that they can steal your identity or trick you into giving them as much of your money as they can.
If someone claiming to be associated with Medicare asks you for any of the following information, it’s most likely a scam. You should never give out this information to someone who has contacted you first.
Social Security number
Bank account number
Current Medicare card number
Credit card number
Full address
Full name (first, middle, last)
Maiden name
DO NOT respond to any scammers, JUST HANG UP!
Then call the organization they are claiming to call from directly.
If you reach out to Medicare, Social Security, your insurance company, or an insurance broker, make sure you have the correct, legitimate phone number off of the organization’s official website or any printed mail you receive from them.
Click here for information on: Reporting Medicare Fraud & Abuse
School Bus Safety Season Is Here
School begins this week. Here is a refresher on the laws about stopping for a school bus.
In Ohio, school bus traffic laws vary depending on the size of the road:
Two-Lane Roads:
All traffic must stop for a school bus no matter which direction it’s traveling.
Traffic must stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus, whether approaching the front or rear of the bus.
Highways with Four or More Lanes:
Only traffic moving in the same direction as the bus must stop when the school bus stops to release passengers.
Traffic coming from the opposite direction doesn’t have to stop in these instances.
Children are dropped off on the same side of the road as their residences. They should not have to cross the street. Just the same, it would be wise to be alert and slow down.
Divided Highways:
Divided highways are treated the same as those with four or more lanes.
Oncoming traffic doesn’t have to stop regardless of how many lanes of traffic there are, but traffic moving in the same direction still has to stop.
Traffic must stop no less than 10 feet away from the school bus.
School Bus Safety Requirements for Traffic:
A school bus doesn’t have to be equipped with an extending stop safety sign in order for traffic to stop.
When lights are flashing, this is sufficient to signal drivers that they need to stop, as the bus is loading or unloading passengers.
Amber and red visual signals are required for a school bus.
Violation of School Bus Traffic Laws:
Those who violate school bus traffic stop laws may receive a $500 fine and could have their driver’s license suspended. Some communities in Ohio the maximum fine is $1000 and 30 days in jail.
Please be mindful as school starts back up, and buses are back on the road.
And please Buckle Up!
Ohio Department of Public Safety Warns of Sophisticated Identity Theft Scheme
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2023
Ohio Department of Public Safety Warns of Sophisticated Identity Theft Scheme
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Department of Public Safety today issued a warning about a sophisticated identity theft scheme impacting individuals across the country, including in Ohio.
The scheme, which was first identified in Texas earlier this year, involves the use of stolen personal information to answer online Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) security questions and gain access to individual BMV accounts. Once inside an individual’s account, identity thieves then request a driver’s license or identification card reprint be mailed to a new address.
“This scheme is incredibly concerning, not only because criminals are ordering up legitimate driver’s licenses but because they can use these cards and the stolen personal information to potentially access your bank account,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson. “If you receive a postcard from the Ohio BMV telling you about an address change that you did not request, it’s important that you immediately take action.”
Thousands of replacement driver’s licenses were sent to unauthorized parties using stolen personal information in Texas. In Ohio, the BMV has initiated contact with around 90 Ohioans whose stolen information was used to obtain or attempt to obtain a driver’s license reprint. It is unknown where the criminals obtained the stolen personal information. No State of Ohio systems were breached.
The Ohio BMV has reported the fraud to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and has devoted additional resources to monitor for patterns associated with this criminal activity. Due to this additional monitoring, it is unlikely that additional fraudulently requested Ohio driver’s licenses will be mailed, however, if you receive a postcard from the BMV notifying you of online profile changes that you did not request, you should immediately contact the BMV at 1-(844)-644-6268. It is also recommended that you file a report with your local law enforcement agency, change answers to your online security questions, and place an initial fraud alert on your credit file.
More information on steps to take if your identity is stolen can be accessed via the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
An example of a BMV address change postcard can be found below. Postcards are mailed to customers’ old addresses any time an address change is made.
Signs of an Opioid Overdose & When to Use Naloxone
Opioids affect the body’s receptors that are related to breathing, which causes breathing to become slow and shallow. A person’s breathing can stop within minutes to hours after using the drug. Once breathing stops, brain damage can start within three to five minutes without oxygen, leading to death.
A death from an opioid overdose can happen quickly, most often when the person is alone and no one is around to intervene.
Signs of an OVERDOSE, which may often result in death if not treated.
Difficulty walking or talking, unconsciousness or inability to stay awake.
Extreme drowsiness, tiny pupils.
Slow or shallow breathing. Breathing difficulty such as choking sounds or a gurgling / snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened.
Fingernails or lips turning blue / purple.
Confusion and/or disorientation.
Unable to wake them by shaking or yelling at them.
Slow or weak pulse.
If an opioid overdose is suspected, CALL 911. Inform the Emergency Operator of your location and that you suspect an overdose. Attempt to wake or stimulate the person:
Call the person’s name. Tap their shoulder or shake them.
If this doesn’t work, vigorously rub knuckles into the sternum (the breastbone in middle of chest) or rub knuckles on the person’s upper lip.
If the person responds, assess whether he or she can maintain responsiveness and breathing.
Continue to monitor the person, including breathing and alertness, and try to keep the person awake and alert.
If the person does not respond:
Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available.
Begin rescue breathing if the person is not breathing on their own.
Tilt their head back to open the airway and check their mouth to make sure it is not blocked. Begin rescue breathing by pinching their nostrils, placing your mouth entirely over theirs, and breathing into their mouth every five seconds for 30 seconds for an adult.
Place the person onto their side to prevent choking and remain with them until emergency services arrive.
If they are not breathing and do not have a pulse, begin CPR. The dispatcher can talk you through it if you are not trained.
Printable Tri-fold of above Pamphlet
Learn more about Drug Education & Prevention at SUPE | Substance Use Prevention Education (addicted.org)
